Lakeshore Unveils Universal Trail Access Project at Oak Mountain State Park

On November 9, Lakeshore celebrated an achievement in its advocacy efforts to promote access for all people to enjoy the outdoors. Lakeshore, in partnership with the Alabama Trails Commission, was awarded a grant from the Recreational Trails Program funded by the U. S. Department of Transportation and a grant funded by the Curtis & Edith Munson Foundation to conduct a pilot program at Oak Mountain State Park called the Universal Trail Access Project. The pilot included the purchase of state of the art trail measurement technology, assessment of 32 miles of pedestrian trails, implementation of Trail Access Information signage throughout the park, and training of professionals and user groups on the Universal Trail Assessment Process. The November 9 ribbon cutting ceremony at Oak Mountain State Park unveiled 40 signs that serve as nutritional labels for the trails, marking grade, elevation changes, width of pathways and surface hardness. Now people of all ability levels can use these signs to determine the conditions of the trails and choose which will be best for their hike. Lakeshore also conducted three Universal Trail Assessment trainings to train individuals in the trail assessment process. The goal is to spread this pilot project to other trails and parks across the state. Visit our Facebook album to view more pictures of the trail signage.