Opening demonstrations set for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday at Lithia Park Cabin

By Morgan Rothborne, Ashland.news 

Those with mobility challenges will soon be able to access a special track chair enabling previously impossible exploration of Lithia Park. 

The nonprofit David’s Chair, working in partnership with Ashland Parks & Recreation Commission, will launch the program by giving demonstrations from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18, at the Lithia Park Cabin at 340 S. Pioneer St., according to a release from the city of Ashland. Attendees to the event will have the chance to see a demonstration from APRC staff on how the chair will expand access to the park for those with mobility challenges. 

The new program will provide an electric all-terrain track chair for mobility challenged visitors to check out for free through an online form that must be completed ahead of time. APRC volunteers will assist in instructions on how to operate the chair and provide a map for where in the park has been designated as safe and a wide enough path for the chair, according to previous reporting by Ashland.news. 

In 2017, David’s Chair was founded to increase access to the outdoors for those with mobility challenges such as those experienced by the nonprofit’s namesake, David Hartrick, who lived with Lou Gehrig’s Disease or ALS, according to the nonprofit’s website. The nonprofit operates similar programs throughout the Oregon coast. 

This is the first program for the nonprofit at a site of this kind, according to the release. 

“We are excited to bring adaptive outdoor recreation opportunities to Lithia Park. It is an amazing location with so much beauty that everyone should have the opportunity to explore and enjoy,” said David’s Chair CEO and Founder Steve Furst in the release. 

Email Ashland.news reporter Morgan Rothborne at morganr@ashland.news.