Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks are taking another step toward making nature accessible to everyone. This fall, the park system unveiled its first all-terrain wheelchair, designed to help visitors with mobility challenges explore outdoor spaces that traditional wheelchairs cannot reach.
The new GRIT Freedom Chair 3.0, a specially engineered lever-driven wheelchair, was made possible through support from the Friends of Metro Parks. Built with rugged mountain bike-style tires and a durable frame, the chair can navigate through mud, gravel, grass, and even shallow water, making hiking trails and nature paths more accessible than ever.
Instead of traditional push rims, the GRIT chair uses a lever propulsion system that allows users to move forward with less strain and more control. The design provides a full-body workout and enables smoother travel over uneven terrain.
How to Access the Chair
The all-terrain chair is currently available at Highbanks Metro Park’s Nature Center, where visitors can reserve it for one- to four-hour time blocks. Starting this fall, it will rotate between several parks across the county every two months, giving more visitors the chance to experience it:
- October–November 2025: Highbanks Metro Park
- December 2025–January 2026: Blacklick Woods Metro Park
- February–March 2026: Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park
- April–May 2026: Blendon Woods Metro Park
Reservations can be made by emailing Megan Richley, Metro Parks’ Inclusion Program Coordinator, at mlrichley@metroparks.net
Who Can Use It
The GRIT Freedom Chair is designed for adults between 4 feet 10 inches and 6 feet 8 inches tall and under 300 pounds. Users must be able to transfer themselves in and out of the chair, and Metro Parks recommends starting on flatter trails before venturing into more rugged terrain. Helmets are available upon request, and users are encouraged to bring a hiking partner for safety.
Making Nature More Inclusive
“This new resource is an exciting step toward increasing accessibility in our Metro Parks,” said Megan Richley. “Our goal is to make sure everyone, regardless of mobility, has the opportunity to connect with nature.”
Franklin County isn’t the only place improving outdoor accessibility. Licking County parks have also introduced all-terrain wheelchairs at several of their nature areas, giving even more central Ohio residents a way to enjoy trails, wildlife, and natural beauty without barriers.
To learn more about how the GRIT Freedom Chair works and see videos of it in action, visit the official GRIT website. For additional details about Metro Parks’ accessibility initiatives, visit the Metro Parks website.
