Upgrades Make Trail at Norman Bird Sanctuary More Accessible

People who rely on wheelchairs and mobility devices to get around deserve an opportunity to connect with nature, too.

That’s the thinking behind a host of improvements at Norman Bird Sanctuary, which is celebrating the completion of upgrades to is Universal Trail and a new trailhead entryway.

“The ADA-compliant Universal Trail offers an opportunity for individuals with disabilities to establish a connection to the natural world, and helps fulfill a core NBS mission priority to inspire diverse audiences to learn from, enjoy, and care about the environment,” the sanctuary said in a release.

The trail begins at the NBS Welcome Center, where all visitors enter the campus. It will provide individuals using mobility aids with access to self-guided trail exploration as well as participation in education programs on the Universal Trail.

The trailhead entryway has also gone through a series of upgrades designed to protect the local watershed by filtering runoff and reducing erosion, as well as create a vibrant habitat for native species.

This project was made possible through funding from the RI Department of Environmental Management, the US Fish & Wildlife Service, and the Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities.

The upgrades will be celebrated at a ribbon cutting on Nov. 23 at the sanctuary, located at 583 Third Beach Road in Middletown.

As a whole, The Norman Bird Sanctuary is both a refuge for bird species and a haven for public education programs and events.