New all-terrain wheelchairs available at Round Valley Recreation Area, Waterloo Village Historic Site
NEW JERSEY — Visitors with mobility challenges now have greater access to outdoor recreation at Round Valley Recreation Area in Hunterdon County and Waterloo Village Historic Site in Warren County following the addition of new all-terrain wheelchairs, according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
The two locations are among five state parks and historic sites across New Jersey that have received the specially designed wheelchairs as part of an initiative to improve accessibility.
The other locations are Island Beach State Park in Ocean County, Liberty State Park in Hudson County and Parvin State Park in Salem County.
“Everyone deserves an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of our state parks, forests and historic sites,” said Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Ed Potosnak. “These specially designed all-terrain wheelchairs will open opportunities for those with mobility challenges to experience terrain that they otherwise would not have a chance to enjoy. The addition of these wheelchairs delivers on the Sherrill administration’s commitment to enhancing access to our state park system and open spaces, which in turn improves health outcomes and quality of life for New Jersey residents.”
The all-terrain wheelchairs are designed to navigate trails and natural surfaces that can be difficult to access with standard wheelchairs, allowing individuals with mobility challenges to explore areas that might otherwise be inaccessible.
The wheelchairs, manufactured by Extreme Motus, are nonmotorized and must be pushed by a companion. They cannot be operated independently by the person seated in the chair.
Advanced reservations are required for visitors wishing to use the wheelchairs.
Those interested in reserving a wheelchair at Round Valley Recreation Area can call 908-236-6355. Reservations for Waterloo Village Historic Site can be made by calling 973-347-1835.
“The outdoors should be accessible to everyone, regardless of ability, and these all-terrain wheelchairs are just one part of a much broader effort to improve accessibility throughout New Jersey State Parks,” said John Cecil, Assistant Commissioner for State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites. “Our accessibility work to date includes installing accessible canoe and kayak launches, conducting trail accessibility assessments, installing beach mats and providing beach wheelchairs at swimming areas, as well as adding inclusive playgrounds.”
Funding for the five wheelchairs was provided through a $24,550 grant awarded by the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation through its 2025 Direct Effect Second Cycle Quality of Life Grants program.
“We thank the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation for their generous support which is allowing us to put these five all-terrain wheelchairs directly into the hands of park visitors who directly benefit from them,” said Rebecca Fitzgerald, Administrator for New Jersey State Parks. “These new all-terrain wheelchairs give visitors another option and help open the door to experiences that may otherwise be difficult to access.”
In addition to Round Valley and Waterloo Village, reservations can be made at Island Beach State Park by calling 732-793-0506, Liberty State Park at 201-915-3400, Option 4, and Parvin State Park at 856-358-8616.
New Jersey State Parks also offers a reservable motorized wheelchair, known as a Track Chair, at Wharton State Forest. Advanced reservations are required and can be made by calling the Wharton State Forest Batsto Office at 609-561-0024. Only one reservation is accepted per day.
The addition of the wheelchairs is part of a broader effort by the DEP to improve accessibility throughout New Jersey’s state parks, forests and historic sites.
Since 2025, New Jersey State Parks has completed accessibility assessments of more than 100 miles of trails through funding from the Federal Highway Administration’s Recreational Trails Program.
The assessments examine trail conditions, including slope, cross slope, surface type, width, length and trailhead facilities.
The information is being used to identify trails and trailheads that meet federal accessibility standards, determine potential improvements and develop detailed maps to help visitors assess whether trails meet their needs.
Additional trail accessibility assessments are planned for 2027.
Updated accessibility trail maps are currently available for Allaire State Park, Cheesequake State Park, Monmouth Battlefield State Park and the Forest Resource Education Center.
The information is also available through Trail Tracker, New Jersey State Parks’ interactive online trail map. Additional maps and accessibility data will be added as assessments continue.
The DEP has also made improvements to the Sensory Awareness Trail at the Forest Resource Education Center in Jackson Township, Ocean County.
The accessible quarter-mile trail is designed to encourage visitors of all abilities to explore the forest using multiple senses. Improvements include an upgraded guide rope for visitors with visual impairments, interpretive markers, benches and an improved shortcut that avoids a slope leading to the Toms River.
For more information about New Jersey’s state parks, forests and historic sites, visit stateparks.nj.gov.
