Calgary Pathways Adventures- part 1

Welcome Ability community! My name is Cecile and I would like to take you with me to explore the natural areas and parks around Calgary.

 I have always known that there are great places to walk in the city, but have been unable to access them since I am unable to walk for any long distances. For this reason I have never explored the expansive pathway system we have here. Now that I have acquired my scooter and found some adaptive equipment that helps me to go distances, I am excited to see what I can find out there.

As I wait for the signs of spring, I have begun to plan my summer routes. I recently picked up a pathways map showing routes throughout Calgary. Some of the pathways are perfect for a scooter and some would be fun for the Park Explorer. My first trip will be to the Signal Hill area and then to the beautiful park in Discovery Ridge-Griffith Woods. I am eager, but of course I will have wait until the weather warms a little.  If you are curious about these two areas I urge you to check out the links I have added below to find where they are in the city.

I mentioned the Park Explorer, a new piece of adaptive equipment, which enables people of different abilities to access nature. Christian Bagg of Alberta Parks created this so that everyone can enjoy the outdoors. It has been used to go back country, but it is just as useful to see the city parks.  






 


Here are some other links to see the Park Explorer.

In the news:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/park-explorer-opens-outdoors-to-people-with-disabilities-1.2957515

Park Explorer, hand crank version, in action:
https://vimeo.com/110175947 

I can’t tell you how excited I am to experience the different ecosystems throughout the city. As I find these interesting places I will share them with you in upcoming blogs. I promise to post pictures and describe what I see for those using screen readers. I love plants, so there may be some ramblings about this plant or that. Bare with me if you aren't as interested, and just look at the nice pictures. Who knows what else I will find?
 
Please come with me on my travels, or if you want to explore for yourself use the pathways map link:

http://www.calgary.ca/CSPS/Parks/Pages/Pathways/Calgary-pathways-and-bikeways-map.aspx

Stay tuned for future posts about my adventures on the pathways.

 

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