Bronco Wild Fund donates all-terrain wheelchair to Hunting Island State Park
January 30, 2024
Beaufort, S.C. – Hunting Island State Park is one of the 18 parks around the country to receive an all-terrain track chair from Ford Motor Company and its Bronco Wild Fund (BWF). These adventure-ready, battery-powered chairs have wide and rugged tracks that make it possible for visitors with various levels of mobility impairments to explore the park’s trails and beaches – areas where regular wheelchairs typically can’t traverse.
“We are grateful and honored to be selected to receive a track chair at one of South Carolina’s most popular state parks,” said Duane Parrish, director of the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism. “Helping more people experience the fun, beauty, and solitude found in our state parks is an ongoing effort. Track chairs are an incredible accessibility innovation. We’re thrilled for the countless visitors who have access to explore one of South Carolina’s most iconic landscapes for the first time thanks to the support of Bronco Wild Fund, and its commitment to ensuring access for all.”
Hunting Island applied for the track chair through a partnership program between BWF and America’s State Parks. The program received applications from 79 applicants in 33 states, narrowing the winners down to 18 parks, with three winners in each of America’s State Park's six regions. The other winners from the Southeast region are state parks in Tennessee and Alabama.
The new track chair is an Action Trackchair AXIS model, which offers users comfort and safety as they trek through wooded or beach trails, covering a variety of uneven and sandy terrain, for up to seven miles.
Visitors are encouraged to call the park to reserve the track chair at least 48 hours in advance to ensure availability. There is no additional charge to use the track chair, but a Park Passport or park admission is required for entry for all visitors ($8/adult; $5/SC seniors; $4/ child age 6-15; free for children 5 and younger). Photo ID and acknowledgment of operating instructions are required for every user.
Hunting Island State Park is an ever-changing sea island that attracts more than a million visitors every year. Home to a vast array of land and marine wildlife, the barrier island boasts five miles of white sandy beaches, thousands of acres of marsh and maritime forest, a saltwater lagoon, and an ocean inlet. The park’s historic lighthouse is currently closed for renovations, but a virtual reality headset is available to guide you up the iron staircase to the top of the lighthouse, with views from every angle of the gallery – all without leaving the ground. The park is one of South Carolina’s 16 original state parks built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. Learn more about Hunting Island State Park at southcarolinaparks.com/hunting-island.
###
View and download images here: https://scprt.widencollective.com/c/paiqxwvf
About Bronco Wild Fund
Contributing to the commitment Ford Motor Company has to building a more sustainable and inclusive future, Bronco Wild Fund (BWF) reflects a deep respect for our public lands and an unbridled commitment to helping those lands continue to be a world of wonder for all. A portion of the profits from every Ford BroncoTM SUV sold goes directly to BWF initiatives with like-minded agencies, organizations and everyday heroes devoted to keeping the great outdoors great. Last year, Bronco Wild Fund contributed more than $1.85 million to connect people to the outdoors responsibly through donations, collaborative projects and grant awards. To learn more about sustainability at Ford and Bronco Wild Fund visit sustainability.ford.com and ford.com/bronco-wild-fund.
About America’s State Parks
America’s State Parks is an alliance of state park systems in all 50 states. The National Association of State Park Directors (NASPD) promotes and advocates for the state park systems across America in providing conservation and management of natural and cultural resources, quality outdoor recreation experiences, and connecting children and families to nature and the outdoors. With more than 6,800 park areas and visitations of 813 million people annually, the economic impact on local communities is estimated to exceed $20 billion each year. Learn more at stateparks.org/.
About South Carolina State Parks
Part of the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism, South Carolina State Parks is responsible for managing and protecting thousands of acres of natural, cultural, and recreational resources, ranging from deep mountain wilderness and old-growth forests to battlefields, waterfronts, and wetlands. Today, the state park system includes 48 operational parks and six historic properties, offering thousands of campsites, two 18-hole golf courses, two saltwater fishing piers, lakes, ponds, and hundreds of miles of hiking and riding trails. Additional parks will be opening in the near future. Find photos, maps, and information about each park, and stay up-to-date on future park openings, at southcarolinaparks.com.