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Take a Hike — An Accessible One

AARP helping to highlight state parks

Stacey Shepard,

AARP

Getty Images

With fall colors soon to be on display across the state, it’s an ideal time to lace up your walking shoes in Tennessee.

Throughout October, AARP Tennessee is celebrating Walktober by showcasing accessible state park trails and advancing work to make communities safer and easier to navigate without a car.

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Working with Tennessee State Parks, AARP is developing an online guide to parks with accessible trails where visitors can enjoy the outdoors without needing to tackle steep or rugged terrain.

Among features in the parks are paved walking paths, accessible overlooks and all-terrain wheelchairs that can be reserved. Destinations include Fall Creek Falls State Park (Middle Tennessee, near Spencer), with three wheelchair-friendly overlooks; Reelfoot Lake State Park (West Tennessee, near Tiptonville), with accessible kayaking, canoeing and easy hiking trails; and Pinson Mounds State Archaeological Park (West Tennessee, near Jackson), home to three short, paved trails that wind through ancient ceremonial grounds.

Walking is one of the easiest ways for older adults to stay active. It can reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes and depression and help people maintain independence, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Walktober will also highlight efforts to help people get around Nashville without a car. AARP will partner with transportation and transit groups for the Week Without Driving from Oct. 1-8, encouraging people to commit to trying alternate ways of getting around, whether by bike, on foot or using public transit.

“For older residents who no longer drive cars, access to safe streets and transportation options is critical to being able to age in their own homes,” says AARP Tennessee State Director Mia McNeil.

More information at aarp.org/tn.