Removing Barriers for River ADA Accessibility

This project assesses barriers and prioritizes opportunities to improve ADA Accessibility of river access sites for individuals with disabilities, on the Middle and North Forks of the Flathead Wild and Scenic River. Access sites currently meet limited to no ADA Accessibility standards. We are working collaboratively with DREAM Adaptive, Flathead National Forest, Glacier National Park, Jackola Engineering, and advocates and individuals with disabilities and organizations (nonprofits and outfitters) facilitating experiences for this project. Through a series of site visits and a stakeholder workshop this phase of project will produce a baseline assessment of vehicle-accessed river access sites on the Middle and North Forks of the Flathead River, along with conceptual designs for top prioritized sites.

The objective is to help guide and prioritize Flathead National Forest's work going forward as they leverage Great American Outdoors Act and other infrastructure funds over the next few years for on the ground projects. By creating more accessible outdoor recreation spaces, it gives those living with a disability more direct access to our natural resources and the benefits that stem from them.

Glacier Rim- North Fork of the Flathead River

Moccasin River Access- Middle Fork of the Flathead River

Bear Creek River Access- Middle Fork of the Flathead River

Ford River Access- North Fork of the Flathead River

Ford River Access- North Fork of the Flathead River

Representatives from Flathead Rivers Alliance, Glacier National Park, Flathead National Forest, DREAM Adaptive, Summit Independent Living, Hydrologistics, North Valley Search & Rescue, Underwater Soldiers, Wild River Adventures, Montana Raft Co, and Antonia Malchik participated in workshop hosted at Logan Health- Whitefish and virtually.

Border River Access- North Fork of the Flathead River

Representatives from Flathead Rivers Alliance, Glacier National Park, Flathead National Forest, DREAM Adaptive, Summit Independent Living, Hydrologistics, North Valley Search & Rescue, Underwater Soldiers, Wild River Adventures, Montana Raft Co, and Antonia Malchik participated in workshop hosted at Logan Health- Whitefish and virtually.

Current Project Advisory Participants:

• Flathead Rivers Alliance

• Flathead National Forest

• Glacier National Park

• DREAM Adaptive

• Jackola Engineering

• Underwater Soldiers

• Hydrologistics

• Summit Independent Living

• Antonia Malchik

• North Valley Search & Rescue

• Wild River Adventures

• Montana Raft Co

• Logan Health- Whitefish

Learn more about this in progress three phase project: www.flatheadrivers.org/removing-barriers-for-accessibility

Partial funding support is provided by Flathead Resource Advisory Committee for the planning phase of project. If you would like to help us reach our fundraising goal for this phase of the project please email info@flatheadrivers.org for more information.