DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION & ACCESSIBILITY

DEIA Statement

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility are foundational values at Trails Utah. We firmly believe that every individual, regardless of their background, deserves the opportunity to access and enjoy the natural beauty of Utah’s landscapes. Our commitment extends beyond words; it’s reflected in our actions, partnerships, and initiatives.

One of our goals is to create an environment where diversity thrives, where differing perspectives are not just valued but sought after. We actively work towards this by fostering an inclusive culture within our organization and advocating for equitable opportunities in the communities we serve.

In our pursuit of these principles, Trails Utah has taken concrete steps. The AxS (Access) program launched in 2022 and exemplifies our dedication. This program focuses on modifying existing dirt trails for adaptive mountain bike use and integrating accessible trails into our larger projects. Collaborations with organizations such as Wasatch Adaptive Sports, the National Ability Center, TRAILS Adaptive (at University of Utah Health) and the US Forest Service are crucial to realizing these objectives. Our influence extends further, as we’ve contributed guidelines for adaptive trail development to the US Forest Service’s 2024 Tri-Canyon Master Plan, which will guide their work for the next ten years.

But our commitment doesn’t end there. We recognize the importance of reaching out to other underserved communities in Salt Lake City and throughout Utah as well. Partnerships with Outdoor Afro SLC, Latino Outdoors SLC, Utah Rainbow Hikers, and Trail Sisters are in progress. Through these partnerships, we aim to develop solutions that ensure meaningful inclusion for as much of our community as possible in the realm of trail-based outdoor recreation.

Our ultimate goal is to create safe and inclusive spaces where every member of our community feels welcomed on our trails. We firmly believe in the transformative power of trails to connect people with nature and with each other. By championing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, we envision vibrant, joyful public spaces that unify our community and enrich our lives.

At Trails Utah, our commitment to these values is unwavering. We believe that by embracing diversity and fostering inclusion, we can create a better, more vibrant future for all Utahns.

TRAILS UTAH AxS (ACCESS) PROGRAM

The Need

Trails offer mental and physical health for all. Mentally, trails allow for time to exercise and unwind, and time in nature helps us better focus, problem solve, think creatively, and cope with anxiety and depression. Physically, trail activity helps better cardiovascular and muscle fitness and increase metabolism for weight loss, improved digestion, and better sleep. Everyone deserves these benefits, so to expand access, we are starting to adapt trails in the Wasatch, removing obstacles to adaptive use.

Who We Seek To Serve

We seek to expand trail access for the growing adaptive athlete community here in Utah. We are partnering with National Ability Center, Wasatch Adaptive Sports, and specialized trail builders to adapt existent trails in the Wasatch for better accessibility for adaptive riders and runners. Trail adaptations will include widening, removing obstacles, making space for wider turns and adjusting grades on existing non-paved trails.

COMMITMENT TO THIS NEED

We are committed to making our trails accessible to as many members of our community as possible. To this end, we have established partnerships with National Ability Center, Wasatch Adaptive Sports and US Forest Service to:

HOW OUR SOLUTION WORKS

Trails Utah has worked with partners to develop a wish-list of trails in Salt Lake County that need adaptations for better accessibility by adaptive bikers. We have a detailed rundown of
work needing doing on each trail, how much time and man- and woman-power it might take, and how much it will cost. We will work with professional trail builders and volunteers to bring these changes to fruition.

OUR WORK WITH THE US FOREST SERVICE (USFS)

Trails Utah partners regularly with the USFS to help them build, maintain and modify trails
throughout the Tri-Canyon area in the Wasatch Front. The Tri-Canyon Master Plan is due out in 2024 and Trails Utah has worked with USFS, as well as our partner, Wasatch Adaptive Sports, to integrate accessibility into their master plan for the next 10 years. We have provided guidelines to building accessible trails as well as a wishlist of trails that community members would like to see modified.

Our first project with both USFS and Wasatch Adaptive Sports is modifying the Dog Lake Trail in Millcreek Canyon, for use by adaptive mountain bikes. This work will be completed in 2024 and we will begin work on a return trail in late 2024 that will offer a loop option, as well as the initial out-and-back option. And we have many more trails on our project list for the coming
years.

Adaptive Mountain Biking Trail Standards

Kootenay Adaptive, based in BC, Canada, created standards for adaptive trails that many entities throughout the United States are now using. These are great guidelines to follow when creating or modifying trails for adaptive use: Kootenay Adaptive Guidelines

Adaptive Resources

Grants for Adaptive Equipment

Whether an ORHC (offroad-hand cycle) or prosthesis, adaptive equipment is expensive and often not covered by health insurance. Here are a few great resources for grants forindividuals to help cover these costs: