These accessible travel suggestions are part of the 2012 Get Out & Enjoy Life program that is a joint educational initiative between UroMed’s motivational program – Life After Spinal Cord Injury, and SPORTS ‘N SPOKES magazine, published by the Paralyzed Veterans of America. For more details on the Get Out & Enjoy Life event, please see: http://pvamag.com/sns/article/4772/get_out_enjoy_life_2012
The Garden State is an appropriate name for New Jersey because visitors are able to find more farm stands, cranberry fields, pumpkins, corn and other crops than in any other state. There is excellent fishing and rafting on the Delaware Riveras well as fantastic parkland. Take a stroll through New Jersey’s quaint historic towns such as Lambertville, Frenchtown and Milford or relax on the East Coast’s most beautiful beaches while snacking on some famous saltwater taffy.
Tri-State Wheelchair and Ambulatory Athletics 
“The Tri-State Wheelchair Athletic Association (TSWAA) is dedicated to foster disabled individual independence through Sport. Chartered to operate in the Connecticut, New York and New Jersey areas, TSWAA offers a structure for disabled teams and individuals to compete in multiple sports.
Tri-States offers disabled athletes the opportunity to participate in multiple sport opportunities in many sports.”
Website: http://www.tswaa.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tswaa1
Phone: 201-435-1688
Edgemont Park All Children’s Playground
This playground is available for children of all ages AND abilities! It is one of the biggest playgrounds in the area. It has a rubber ground, so kids in wheelchairs are able to transport easily. It is safe, has plenty of slides and is fun!
Website: http://www.njplaygrounds.com/732/edgemont-memorial-park-montclair-nj/
Memorial Park
A group of Boy Scouts founded this accessible playground which contains several ramps and a rubber ground that is convenient for kids in wheelchairs. There are even four special needs swings and accessible picnic benches.
Website: http://www.njplaygrounds.com/746/memorial-park-westfield-nj/
Phil Rizzuto Park
“The County of Union also recently opened Phil Rizzuto Park on the borders of Elizabeth/Union/Hillside in honor of the New York Yankee Hall-of-Fame baseball player who lives nearby. The park is a 10.4-acre multi-use facility that also contains a “Boundless Playground” area, which allows children with disabilities to play along side their peers.”
website: http://www.njplaygrounds.com/250/phil-rizzuto-park-union-nj/
National Parks Golden Access Passport
National and state parks are abound in New Jersey and many offer a broad range of accessible including campgrounds, fishing spots, trails and picnic areas. For travelers with disabilities, the Golden Access Passport is free and gives users free entry to all national parks, plus 50% off fees for the uses of many park facilities and services. To get a Golden Access pass, you must show proof of age, US citizenship or permanent residency and proof of disability. You can request your Golden Access Pass by mail or by internet.
To order passes by mail:
National Park Service
1849 C Street NW
Washington DC 20240
202-208-4747
To order online, visit www.nps.gov
Thank you to our sponsors:
This project was supported by a variety of sponsors that we’d like to thank, including:
- Sports N’ Spokes Magazine
- Cure Medical
- Hollister Incorporated
- Invacare Top End
- Rollin’ Wear
- 3E Wheelchair Love
- At Home Medical
- Eagle Sportschairs
About the Author: Lindsey Beacham, from Atlanta, serves as Marketing Coordinator for UroMed. She graduated from Auburn University with a B.A. in Criminology and from Georgia State University with a B.B.A in Marketing. When she’s not busy with marketing or studying for additional degrees, she enjoys cooking, reading, and spending time with her family.
