Adirondack Nature Festival for People with Disabilities
The first annual Adirondack Nature Festival for People with Disabilities will be held at the Paul Smith’s Visitor Interpretive Center
Saturday, Sept. 7 from 10 am - 4 pm
The festival is a free and accessible event, rain or shine.
Activities Include:
- guided walks along the trails
- birding
- craft workshops
- nature sensory play
- story sharing around the campfire
- live music
- craft vendors
- food
The event is dedicated to bringing together people with disabilities, their families, friends, companions, and supporters throughout the North Country region to celebrate and experience the uplifting power of community and nature, and to be a source of inspiration for each other.
“Access to nature can be challenging for people with disabilities and the Paul Smith’s Visitor Interpretive Center is a great location which includes trails that have gentler terrain and a wheelchair-accessible trail,” said Helene Gibbens, co-chair of the festival’s planning committee.
Kim Hill Ridley, New York State Chief Disability Officer, and keynote speaker, will launch the festival, with Leah Akins, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Statewide ADA Accessibility Coordinator as a special guest speaker.
“Whether you are discovering the creations of regional artisans and artists, sampling a variety of tasty foods, participating in a nature workshop or experience, or just hanging out listening to live music, the Adirondack Nature Festival for People with Disabilities will provide an opportunity for people of various abilities to connect with nature in many different ways, as well as with each other,” said Nick Friedman, co-chair of the festival’s planning committee.
The event is organized by a committee of volunteers from Adirondack Riverwalking, Tri-Lakes Center for Independent Living, and Accessible Adirondack Tourism. Please see the festival’s website for additional planning committee members and organizations.
Through its fiscal sponsor, Accessible Adirondack Tourism, the festival welcomes personal donations and corporate sponsors. Donations can be made online through the festival’s website (just Google 'Adirondack Nature Festival') or by mail.
