Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes expands bear tracks accessibility program
From staff reports
The Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes is expanding its renowned Bear Tracks accessibility program with the help of Elk Rapids-based Great Lakes RV Solar Solutions. New solar panels from Great Lakes are now attached to the Friends’ track chair trailer, allowing access to additional trails through the use of solar power. By cutting the cord, the track chairs can now be used on the Park’s popular Alligator Hill trail, expanding access for all to the beauty of the Lakeshore.
“Accessibility is an important part of the Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes mission,” said Laura Ann Johnson, executive director of the Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes.
“Every year since the start of the program, we have seen how much of an impact the program has on visitors who otherwise may not be able to enjoy a hike with their friends and family. Working with Great Lakes, we are able to expand this crucial program and help even more people enjoy the Lakeshore.”
For Great Lakes RV Solar Solutions, this was the first time the company worked on a project of this nature with track chairs.
“When we were approached by the Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes, we immediately jumped in to see how our solar panels could be utilized with the track chairs,” said Ian Frick, owner of Great Lakes RV Solar Solutions.
“We had no idea what the track chairs could do, the impact on users and how many people were able to see the Lakeshore because of them. We knew we had to become involved in this project.”
The Bear Tracks track chair program began in 2019 after several years of planning, development and fundraising by Friends’ volunteers. The program, the first of its kind in the National Park Service, began with one track chair on one trail, and has now expanded to three chairs. With the new solar panels providing charging capabilities, additional trails can now be accessed. This expansion follows the Friends’ recent addition of a wheelchair bike for use on the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail in 2025.
The track chair program will run daily from May 22 through October 11 (excluding July 4), and reservations for both the track chairs and wheelchair bicycle are now open at FriendsofSleepingBear.org/accessibility.
