Which Finger Lakes recreation areas are ADA accessible? Check out DEC's new map

Emily Barnes, New York State Team
·3 min read

New Yorkers can now more easily find accessible recreation areas throughout the state, including over a dozen places in the Finger Lakes region.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced the creation of an Accessible Recreation Destinations Map last month to help New Yorkers and visitors locate wheelchair accessible features at education centers, campgrounds and day use parks, waterway access sites and land areas.

"Inclusivity begins with consideration for everyone's abilities and preferences when enjoying all our great state has to offer," says New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities commissioner Kerri Neifeld. "It's wonderful to see adaptable equipment for fishing and boating, upgraded facilities onsite, accessible trails and mapped locations available for all New Yorkers to plan outdoor adventures with friends and family."

Over $5 million in recreation upgrades to enhance the experience of persons with disabilities who access the DEC's lands and services were also completed at the time of the announcement.

Here's what to know.

What are the accessibility options at NY's recreation areas?

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has created an Accessible Recreation Destinations Map for over 200 ADA accessible education centers, campgrounds and day use areas, waterway access sites and land areas statewide.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has created an Accessible Recreation Destinations Map for over 200 ADA accessible education centers, campgrounds and day use areas, waterway access sites and land areas statewide.

The map includes 266 destinations statewide with wheelchair accessible outdoor recreation opportunities, which are consistent with the federal accessibility standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Architectural Barriers Act.

Here's what you'll be able to find:

  • Accessible boat launches and fishing platforms

  • Picnic and viewing areas have wheelchair accessible amenities and are accessible by an outdoor access route or accessible trail

  • Accessible campsites designed for use by people with mobility disabilities, including accessible picnic tables and fireplace/ring and a firm, graded surface suitable for navigation of a mobility device

  • Accessible trails with shallow grades, wide tread and firm compact surfaces of crushed stone, boardwalk and pavement

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What information does the map include?

When you click on the individual icons that each represent an accessible education center, campground or day use park, waterway access site or land area on the map, you'll be able to find out information about the location, including:

  • Accessible features

  • Location

  • Trail information

  • Access information

  • Region

  • County

  • Waterbody

  • Webpage

  • Facility information

You can also search for specific locations, bookmark your favorites and see photos of the accessible elements.

Which Finger Lakes locations are included on the accessibility map?

Black Creek Fishing Access Site, a New York State DEC park, has wheelchair and mobility access ramps for people who want to boat on Black Creek. The site is located on Black Creek Road in Chili near the intersection of Ballantyne and East River Roads.
Black Creek Fishing Access Site, a New York State DEC park, has wheelchair and mobility access ramps for people who want to boat on Black Creek. The site is located on Black Creek Road in Chili near the intersection of Ballantyne and East River Roads.

There are just over a dozen locations within the Finger Lakes region that are a part of the DEC's accessible recreation map, including:

Emily Barnes is the New York State Team consumer advocate reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @byemilybarnes. Get in touch at ebarnes@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Which Finger Lakes park areas are ADA accessible? See DEC's new map