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Mike Owen (38), a person living with Spina Bifida, opened the 2nd Season of the WPF Trails Without Limits Program at Ridge Road Park in Hartsdale. L-R:  Seth Mandelbaum, Chair, WPF; Mike Owen; Westchester County Executive George Latimer; Bill Madden, Director, Veolia

Westchester Parks Foundation Kicks off the Spring Season with Trails Without Limits Program

Westchester Parks Foundation (WPF) kicked off its Spring programming early this year with the opening of the WPF Trails Without Limits program at Ridge Road Park in Hartsdale.  Mike Owen of Newton, Connecticut was the first participant for the 2nd season of the All-Terrain Trackchair program that allows individuals who may be living with cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, amputation, paraplegia, arthritis, cardiac issues, joint replacements, or have other mobility concerns the opportunity to immerse themselves in Westchester County Parks. The event also included a special check presentation from Veolia for continued support of the program and a grant from the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation to expand the program.

Seth Mandelbaum, Chair, Westchester Parks Foundation stated: “We are thrilled to kick off the Spring season with our Trails Without Limit programs and continue to make County trails accessible to more people than ever. We look forward to expanding this program to additional parks throughout Westchester County this year and look forward to seeing everyone this Spring at one of our programs.” 

George Latimer, Westchester County Executive said, “The Westchester County Parks system is a unique and beautiful aspect of Westchester County that everyone should have the ability to experience and the Trails Without Limits program is the perfect way to ensure that no one misses out.” 

Kathy O’Connor, Commissioner of the Westchester County Parks Department said, “Thank you to Westchester Parks Foundation for continuing the implementation of this fantastic program that allows those who may not have had the capability to experience our parks enjoy them with their loved ones.”  

Bill Madden, the director of communications and government affairs for Veolia’s New York operations remarked:  “Our partnership with the Westchester County Parks Foundation is very important to our organization. As a world leader in the environmental services industry, our support of the Trails Without Limits program aligns perfectly with our commitment to the community and the environment. We think it is one of the most unique initiatives in the Hudson Valley that provides an important service to many of our customers.” 

The WPF Trails Without Limits program is completely free for users and open to ALL not just Westchester County residents. Individuals with their family, friends, and/or caregivers, will experience a 1–2-mile hike guided by a WPF volunteer or staff person. The program will rotate throughout Westchester County Parks March-November. Slots are currently available this month at Ridge Road Park in Hartsdale, Saxon Woods Park in White Plains in April, and Muscoot Farm in Katonah in May with additional parks added throughout the season.

To register for a time slot in the park of your choice, visit https://www.thewpf.org/trailswithoutlimits.