Nene Park Trust is excited to announce that two all-terrain wheelchairs will be available to help visitors with access needs explore Ferry Meadows in the New Year. Ferry Meadows, Orton Meadows, Orton Mere, Woodston Reach, Thorpe Meadows and The Rural Estate together form Nene Park – Peterborough’s and the region’s favourite place to get outdoors and enjoy nature. Thanks to a generous and thoughtful donation, specifically given for the purpose of improving the visitor experience of those with access needs at Ferry Meadows, Nene Park Trust has been able to place an order for two all-terrain wheelchairs from The Mountain Trike Company, a wheelchair company who produce and manufacture all-terrain wheelchairs from their premises in the UK.
The revolutionary and award-winning all-terrain wheelchairs, as seen on BBC’s Countryfile, offer users the freedom and independence to travel off the beaten track and to explore and enjoy the outdoors with friends and family. Ferry Meadows will be the first venue in the area to offer Mountain Trikes for use by the public.
Visitors will be able to choose the all-terrain wheelchairs that match their needs at Ferry Meadows;
- The Mountain Trike, lever drive all-terrain wheelchair which allows the user to independently propel, steer and apply the hydraulic brakes whilst maintaining clean, dry hands
- MT Push all-terrain attendant wheelchair which has a push handle located behind the rider where the steering and braking takes place by the rider’s buddy. This is suited for riders who aren’t able to self-propel but still want to enjoy the outdoors with friends and family.
Susan Evans, Access Development Officer at Nene Park Trust said: “We are absolutely delighted that we are going to be able to offer this service at Ferry Meadows and hopefully open up this well-loved Park to people who may not have been able to visit before, as well as helping existing visitors explore further and in more comfort. We know how much access to quality green space matters to the health and wellbeing of everyone, so to be able to provide equipment to help people with mobility impairment explore the Park is really exciting.”
Tim Morgan, CEO and Founder of the Mountain Trike Company, says, “We are thrilled that Nene Park Trust have chosen our all-terrain wheelchairs for visitors with limited mobility to access all areas of Ferry Meadows. With accessible changing room facilities already in place, the addition of the Mountain Trike and MT Push will enhance the visitor experience and I am sure visitors of all abilities will keep returning to discover all that Nene Park has to offer.”
The all-terrain wheelchairs will be provided at Ferry Meadows alongside the extremely popular mobility scooter loan service the Park already offers. This service is made possible through continued donations from users and supporters, alongside other fundraising efforts.
For updates on the launch of the all-terrain wheelchairs at Ferry Meadows, due early 2020, keep an eye on the Nene Park website www.nenepark.org.uk and social media pages or speak to the team at Ferry Meadows Visitor Centre or on 01733 234193.
