Push to Open Nature

One of the priority actions in the Plan for Parks is an inclusion strategy. The goal is to increase opportunities and invite the full participation of all Albertans in parks.

The Push to Open Nature Initiative aims to increase environmental and recreational literacy among people of all abilities. Many Albertans face some sort of barrier to active living. Every Albertan will be affected by disability in their life due to injury, aging or as a caregiver to a loved one.

The Push to Open Nature Initiative builds on:

many years of success at William Watson Lodge in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park;
the universal pathway system at Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park; and
the experience of many partners, volunteers and individuals with disabilities in adaptive recreation programs.

Removing Barriers - Accessibility in Parks

Nature has no building codes. We must work to ensure that people of all abilities can participate in nature-based experiences and outdoor recreation. We are trying to remove barriers in new and existing facilities, as well as in programs and daily operations.

William Watson Lodge in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park provides accommodation for Albertans with disabilities in accessible cabins and campsites. It also has barrier-free trails for hiking and cross-country skiing, barrier-free picnic sites and barrier-free fishing areas.
Park facilities such as shower buildings are now built for accessibility. The new visitor centres at Dinosaur Provincial Park, Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park and Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park are accessible buildings, as is the Boreal Centre for Bird Observation in Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park.
We are working to identify all barrier-free facilities, including campsites, in Alberta's provincial parks.
Disabled-access campsites are identified on Reserve.AlbertaParks.ca (or check our list). This helps visitors plan an inclusive and enjoyable park experience.
Disabled accessibility is indicated under Information & Facilities for campgrounds, e.g. Miquelon Lake Campground.

Help Us Improve

Report a barrier or idea:

report accessibility problems you encounter in a provincial park
submit ideas for places and experiences that should be made more accessible

We'd also love to hear about exceptional places or people in Alberta's parks that provide truly inclusive experiences. Please send your stories and photos to pushtoopen@gov.ab.ca.

Park Events for Everyone - Adaptive Nature Challenges

To provide access without impacting wilderness, we develop and support programs that modify the user, not the environment. Adaptive nature challenges require:

use of adaptive equipment such as TrailRiders, sit-skis and outrigger kayaks; and
tremendous teamwork and enthusiasm from committed volunteers and participants.

Adaptive nature challenges prove that teamwork, determination and creativity can break down barriers, smooth out mountains and build communities.

Check our Events listing for upcoming adaptive nature and inclusion programs.

Check out our past adaptive challenges

Push To Open videos on YouTube
Push to Open Nature Society
Push to Open Nature Initiative on Facebook
Adaptive Challenge 2008 booklet

Push to Open Nature Society

Push to Open Nature Society is a non-profit charitable society that works with Parks Division on inclusion initiatives by:

supporting Adaptive Nature Challenges; and
connecting people with the equipment, places and people they need to experience nature interdependently.

For more info or to participate, contact Push to Open Nature Society at info@pushtoopen.ca.

Get Involved

Get involved and help push open nature in Alberta's provincial parks.

Participate.
Stay informed and share your stories on FaceBook or with Push to Open Nature Society.
Volunteer.
- Help create experiences. Your effort is appreciated regardless of your abilities. Whether you are pulling a TrailRider or sitting in the seat, you are helping push to open nature!
- Volunteer with Push to Open Nature Society. Contact info@pushtoopen.ca.
- There are also other volunteering opportunities in Alberta's parks.
Partner with us. If your organization wants to help push to open nature, we can do it together. Contact Push to Open Nature Society at info@pushtoopen.ca.

More Information about Push to Open Nature Initiative

Nothing about them without them: Creating a framework of inclusion for persons with disabilities in Alberta parks and wilderness sites (Masters thesis)

Thanks to our Partners

Thank you to the hundreds of volunteers and dozens of leaders who have helped so far. A huge thanks also to our many valued partners.