Park City verified as Accessible Travel Destination
The Park City community has worked for decades to be an accessible destination for people with disabilities, but now it’s official: Park City has earned Accessibility Verification from Wheel the World, a non-profit organization that helps plan accessible travel.
The initiative was led by the Park City Chamber/Bureau in collaboration with local organizations including the Mountain Trails Foundation and the National Ability Center. Thirty businesses and community organizations were recognized at an event Thursday at the National Ability Center. The Chamber/Bureau’s goal is to at least double this number by the beginning of next year.
Becca Gerber, senior director of government and community affairs for the Park City Chamber/Bureau, said this isn’t about asking the community to make big changes, but to highlight the work already being done.
“It’s really about taking the pulse of where we are right now in our business community and seeing what we already offer, and then doing a better job of informing people, both our community and visitors, about what’s already here or what the best ways to navigate our community are,” Gerber said.
At Thursday’s event, Matthew Heimburger and Anna Dance spoke of the importance of accessible travel and adventure to their family. Heimburger and Dance, who live in Midway, are parents of a daughter with a disability.
Guest speakers gather on stage at the National Ability Center to discuss accessibility and inclusion during a celebration of Park City’s Accessibility Verified designation from Wheel the World earlier this month. Credit: Jonathan Herrera/Park Record
Heimburger said it’s important to their family that their daughter feel included in an activity with others rather than separated because of her disability Through the Wheel the World verification and local organizations like the National Ability Center, families with varying disabilities will be able to experience accommodation and inclusion in the greater Park City community.
The efforts to make Park City even more accessible are inspired in part by preparing for the 2034 Olympics and Paralympics, but Gerber emphasized the importance of the local community too. They’re thinking about “how to make it a better place for everyone to navigate together,” she said.
All aspects of the Park City experience are represented in the verified destinations. Breweries and dining, lodging, history, arts, and of course outdoor activities.
The National Ability Center has for decades promoted accessible outdoor recreation. This initiative is working with the center to highlight and continue its work. The main National Ability Center location and the McGrath Mountain Center are featured as Wheel the World verified locations. They continue to offer adaptive equipment and programs to make outdoor recreation more accessible.
Gerber said Wheel the World was excited to work with the National Ability Center.
“Once we talked about doing (the verification), we wanted to make sure we also pulled the NAC in right away, and they were really eager to participate and work with us too,” Gerber said.
Speaking of the importance of the National Ability Center and accessible adventure, Dance said that being included in these activities gives their daughter courage and confidence that helps her navigate her disability and being a teenager.
The Mountain Trails Foundation is expanding their trail maintenance work to increase the number of universally accessible trails, starting with the Round Valley area around the center. Trail width and grade must be considered, as well as trailhead features like parking options and restrooms. Grant funding has enabled the foundation to use new technology and experts in adaptive cycling to make these trails accessible to riders of all skill levels and all abilities. Several trail systems are already included in the verified list, with more to come in 2027.
Lodges at Park City Mountain and Deer Valley Resort are also featured. Although the details aren’t featured on Wheel the World’s site, Park City Mountain’s lifts are accessible, too. The lift team is trained to assist adaptive skiers and riders in loading and unloading lifts, and summer chairs are fitted to carry adaptive bikes.
“Our community really does care a lot and does put a lot of effort into making things accessible. We’re just excited that now we have a better way to share all the things we’re doing,” Gerber said.
To see Park City’s Wheel the World page, click here: wheeltheworld.com
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