Trail now ready for the visually impaired people to enjoy as well

Ten volunteers visited Chattanooga on Sunday, March 19 for a unique chance to enjoy the beauty of Chattanooga in the springtime while rehabilitating trails to make nature accessible to all.These American Hiking Society Volunteer Vacationers stayed at the Tennessee River Gorge Trust’s Pot Point House for one week. There, they spent the day helping to prepare the land trust’s trail network to host nearly 30 visually impaired students from Hamilton County Schools for a field trip on April 5.

During the evening, they enjoyed some of the sights and sounds of the Scenic City. This Nature\Braille trail will provide access to the visually impaired as well as all residents of Greater Chattanooga.American Hiking opened a regional office in Chattanooga in 2003. While the primary focus of that office is the development of a 5,000-mile regional trail network, American Hiking has also worked locally to open up trail opportunities for the visually impaired.

“Last year we organized a Field Trip for the visually impaired along the Cumberland Trail. It was so successful, that we decided to do it again this year, but with some new partners, including the Tennessee River Gorge Trust”, said Jeffrey Hunter, American Hiking Society’s Southeast Trail Programs Director.

According to Jim Brown, Executive Director of the Tennessee River Gorge Trust, “The Trust has long wanted to prepare a trail that will address the needs of the visually impaired community. By taking an existing trail that was for the mobility impaired, and upgrading it to a visually impaired trail, the Trust feels it can provide a unique service to the Chattanooga area. Of course none of this would be possible without the wonderful help of the American Hiking Society.

”The plan is to install Braille signage so that the ecology of the river gorge could be interpreted by someone with a visual impairment. For a complete listing of the 110 Volunteer Vacations scheduled in 2006, please visit American Hiking Society’s website www.AmericanHiking.org. Projects are rated by difficulty level, ranging from ‘easy’ to ‘extremely strenuous’, however no previous trail work experience is required. To learn more about the Tennessee River Gorge Trust and the valuable work they do in the Chattanooga area.

About American Hiking SocietyFounded in 1976, American Hiking Society is the only national non-profit organization dedicated toestablishing, protecting and maintaining the nation’s footpaths and promoting the hiking experience.With a strong membership base of individual hikers and hiking clubs, American Hiking represents a half-millionoutdoors people and serves as the voice of the American hiker.

Volunteer Vacations is supported in part through a grant from REI, a nationwide outdoor retail co-op. REI stores are an excellent resource for trip planning and obtaining the required personal camping gear. Rental equipment is also available. For a complete list of the 2006 Volunteer Vacations projects and to schedule a trip or for additional information, visit American Hiking Society’s website www.AmericanHiking.org or call 1-800-972-8608, extension 206.

About Tennessee River Gorge TrustFounded by local citizens in 1981, the Tennessee River Gorge Trust works to protect the 27 mile long 27,000 acre River Gorge. Located in Southeast Tennessee just to the west of Chattanooga, the River Gorge is home to one of the most scenic areas in Tennessee as well as thousands of species of plants and animals, many rare, threatened or endangered. To date, TRGT has protected over 16,300 acres of “Tennessee’s Grand Canyon.”