Parks: Driving Over Boundaries And Climbing Obstacles

Disability Dirt Days show participants what’s possible—regardless of physical abilityBy Kate LaytonHosted by Oakland County Parks (OCP) in Michigan, Disability Dirt Days pair volunteer, off-road vehicle (ORV) drivers with participants with disabilities for thrilling rides around Holly Oaks ORV Park. The park is situated on former and active gravel mines and offers a wide variety of extreme terrain for ORVs. Participants can explore the different park areas and features, while bumping along trails, splashing through water, and rolling up and over hills. Some volunteer drivers use hand controls to operate their vehicles, demonstrating to riders that—with the right accommodations—people of different abilities can participate in recreation activities they find interesting and exciting, including more extreme ones like off-roading.