Sonoma County trails becoming more accessible for those with disabilities

By MEG MCCONAHEY / THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

Jeanne Allen considers herself an avid hiker. But in a region blessed with so many parks, nature preserves and public open space lands that it’s hard for many hikers to decide which trail to take, Allen’s options are limited.

Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in her early 30s, she now relies on a mobility scooter to get around. And she takes it everywhere possible in her quest to check out accessible travel and recreation options for her website and blog, IncredibleAccessible.com.

“When I was still capable, I used to love to go hiking. I don’t do traditional hikes anymore because it’s too difficult. But when we do go someplace new, I’m always finding out if there are accessible trails,” said Allen, who lives in Sonoma.

She’s often disappointed, arriving in a park only to find that it would be impossible for her to experience it at all.

“When we first moved to Sonoma almost 16 years ago, Sugarloaf Ridge State Park was one of the first places we went. But I quickly realized it wasn’t going to be accessible for me,” she lamented, “so we haven’t been back, which is a shame because I hear such beautiful things about it.”

Soon, however, Allen can put the Kenwood park back on her bucket list.

Young crews with the California Conservation Corps began work in February to make the north side of Sugarloaf’s Creekside Nature Trail accessible to people in wheelchairs.

It’s only a short trek of about a half mile, but it will open up to the disabled the pleasure of being creekside among heavy stands of oaks and bay trees. The trail leads to an acorn woodpecker colony, meanders past some interesting rock formations and offers wildflower spotting in spring. Read More