Trail of Hope to mark ADA passage

In 2011, an organization dedicated to developing foot paths in Wayne County initiated the Forever Wild for Everyone program.

The idea, said Trail Works, Inc., board member Mark DeCracker, was to make nature accessible to everyone regardless of their physical and mental ability.

“Our role as stewards of the Forever Wild for Everyone program in Wayne County is to develop and/or designate nature trails without barriers that everyone can enjoy,’’ DeCracker said.

The spirit of that mission is embodied in the Trail of Hope located at the Lyons Community Center, 9 Manhattan St.

The 5-year-old project has evolved into a quarter-mile trail featuring themed gardens, a pond, waterfalls, plantings to honor Native Americans and the “Yellow Brick Road,’’ where hundreds of yellow bricks painted by nursing home residents have been installed. More than 500 people confined to wheelchairs have visited the Trail of Hope, DeCracker said.

At 1:30 p.m. Thursday, July 23, the Lyons Community Center will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act at the Trail of Hope.

Employees of Russell, Phillips and Associates LLC will assist visitors.

“With their help we will have extra hands to push wheelchairs and provide assistance while walking,” said DeCracker, a retired occupational therapist who operates a bed and breakfast. “We invite all those associated with nursing homes, assisted living facilities and developmentally disabled people to join us on the Trail of Hope to celebrate the Americans with Disabilities Act while enjoying the wonderful gardens and natural settings that the Trail of Hope provides.”

The ADA was signed into law on July 26, 1990, by President George H. W. Bush. In addition, the Trail of Hope has provided many young people with their first exposure to nature, either by walking the trail or working on projects. DeCracker was honored with the “Out of the Box’’ Award from Parks and Trails NY for spearheading the Trail of Hope project.

Go to http://www.trailofhope.organd www.trailworks.org.

Lroth@DemocratandChronicle.com