For more information, contact:
New Horizons Un-Limited
811 E. Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 937
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Phone: (414) 299-0124
Email: horizons@new-horizons.org
New Horizons Un-Limited - 2019 - Celebrating 25 Years of Progress - Accessible Opportunities in the Outdoors!
You and your family should free yourselves from life's stresses and take in the physical and mental healing that nature offers. When we can look far out to a horizon our eyes can relax, when we breath in fresh air and discover trees and beauty in nature, we can allow ourselves to think, problem solve and focus on other abilities or sensitivities.
Here are ideas for opportunities to respite in the outdoors:
What if you have not had the experience of the outdoors or do not feel prepared for an outdoor adventure?
This website Go All Outdoors has some great ideas for getting started in acclimating to the outdoors.
A first idea is to enjoy the outdoors close to home.
Start by bringing plants indoors and creating a conservatory space in a special corner of your house to learn more about plants and enjoy them.
A bird feeder outside a visually accessible window is a great way to witness nature and a source of inspiration.
Create a garden space in your backyard; bring out a table and bench where you can picnic and enjoy the outdoors.
Recently we visited with the organization, Victory Garden, whose objective is to get people eating healthy food while enjoying growing their own vegetables and fruits in their own backyard.
Victory Garden will build a four by eight foot raised garden bed; you add some seeds and a couple hot house plants and you are feeding family and friends. (Go to Buy a Blitz Garden) If you live in the following Milwaukee county Zip Codes: 53204 - 53206 - 53208 - 53218 you can purchase a garden for only $25. If you live in certain other neighborhoods you can pay just $50, otherwise gardens cost from $175-200.
If you will require an accessible garden bed, these can be more costly.
All gardens are built by volunteers during the Blitz, May 11-25, 2019.
Volunteer at the Victory Garden Urban Farm and take home some produce. Call (414) 431-0888 for more information on volunteering.
Join a community garden group; you will get help from Master Gardeners.
Are you ready to move on to an outdoor experience away from home?
Ask a friend to share in the experience, possibly someone who knows more about it.
If that may not be possible, there are many opportunities to join a class, or an event at a nature center. Check out places in Milwaukee like the Wehr Nature Center and the Urban Ecology Center.
Talk to your church group or veterans group about a day outing to a local or State Park, a hike along an accessible river trail in any town with a river in Wisconsin like the Hank Aaron State Trail in Milwaukee or visit an accessible urban State Forest or Park such as Havenwoods State Forest or Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee.
How many of you have tried camping and ended with an unhappy experience because you were unprepared with the right gear for rain, or cold, heat or too much sun?
Find an experienced friend who can guide you thru a camping experience. People who camp will be eager to share their knowledge about how to stay warm and dry, or hydrated and shaded, what gear is important, and what and how to pack for your adventure.
The Accessible Camping Cabins in our Wisconsin State Parks offer a respite opportunity to families with members with disabilities. (See below)
Update of the Accessible Nature Explore Classroom - Bong State Recreation Area!
In the spring of 2018 Richard Bong State Recreation Area, (Kenosha County, WI) and the Bong Naturalist Association (BNA), broke ground on a new Nature Explore Classroom (NEC). Hoping to disconnect kids from electronics and grant opportunities that may not otherwise be available, the NEC plans to help kids develop an appreciation of nature, science, art and music and a lifelong passion for nature activities.
Naturalist, Beth Goeppinger, plans a tentative opening of the NEC in August 2019 and it will be the first of its kind in the state! There will be eleven “classrooms” dedicated to nature, movement and exploring, including a dig area, a water feature, a living Willow tunnel, a sensory garden and other gardens, a climbing area, and a sunflower fort.
Pictured to the left is the wonderful new gate to the NEC!
Known for the Accessible Cabin at Bong, our NHU President, Art Miller, along with Lavern Nall, Strass-Maguire & Associates, implemented the layout of accessible grading, and walkways. The meandering trail will take one through woods, by rocks and bushes, and up and down gentle slopes, which will now be entirely ADA accessible.
Do you know an individual or group that would benefit from the Nature Explore Classroom? Please let them know about this new accessible nature opportunity!
Although the BNA has reached their goal of $140,000 there are some unanticipated surfaces expenses so they are still looking for help and donations. Do you know a scout group, class group or others who might like to get involved with the project? For more information, visit the bongnaturalistassociation.org or call (262) 878-5607.
This Season Plan to Enjoy the Outdoors with Your Family and Respite at a Wheelchair Accessible Cabin in the Wisconsin State Parks.
Richard Bong State Recreation Area Kohler Andrea State Park Harrington Beach State Park
The eight fully Accessible Camping Cabins in the Wisconsin State Parks offer low cost options for enjoying the outdoors for people with physical disabilities who require accessible amenities.
If you or a family member has a physical disability and are in need of a break, book a stay at one of Wisconsin State Parks’ Accessible Camping Cabins.
Make reservations early; accessible cabins fill up fast.
YOU can help support this endeavor by helping the Friends Group or the Wisconsin State Park of the cabin in which you are interested.
To keep accessible features maintained, the Wisconsin State Parks could use your help!
If you have questions or ideas, information and solutions that you would like to share
with us, contact us by e-mail at: horizons@new-horizons.org
or to use our NHU E-Mail Form or NHU Community Forum,
click the links below.
New Horizons Un-Limited Inc.
