Enhancing Beach Accessibility: Lane County Parks Teams Up with David's Chair

In an effort to make the scenic Heceta Beach in Florence more inclusive and accessible, Lane County Parks has forged a meaningful partnership with the non-profit organization David's Chair. This collaboration aims to provide individuals facing mobility challenges with FREE access to all-terrain track chairs, allowing them to relish the beauty of the beach in ways that were previously inaccessible. 

David's Chair, founded in 2017 by friends David Hatrick and Steve Furst, is dedicated to granting independence to people with ALS and other mobility challenges. The organization achieves this by offering free access to all-terrain track chairs capable of navigating outdoor terrains, including beaches and snow. The organization also offers Tow ‘N Go Chairs, to eliminate transportation barriers so users can enjoy their own adventure as they wish.

The track chair is available for reservation on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through the David's Chair website (www.davidschair.org).

Once reserved, individuals can pick up the chair at Driftwood Shores Resort. Florence is the 7th location along the Oregon coast to offer the all-terrain track chairs. Other locations include Gold Beach, Manzanita, Netarts, Newport, Pacific City, and Seaside. With each new chair and location, David’s legacy lives on and is enriching the lives of hundreds, if not thousands, of people.

The partnership was made possible, in significant part, due to the support of the Lane County Parks levy. The $5,000 annual contribution from the levy will play a crucial role in ensuring the maintenance of the track chair, guaranteeing its availability for years to come.

Lane County Parks' collaboration with David's Chair stands as a testament to the power of community initiatives in fostering inclusivity and enhancing outdoor experiences for all. This partnership not only opens new possibilities for individuals with mobility challenges but also reflects the community's commitment to making natural wonders, like Heceta Beach, accessible to everyone. As the program gains traction, it serves as a model for other regions to follow, promoting the idea that the great outdoors should be enjoyed by all, regardless of physical limitations.

Volunteer with David's Chair

We are actively seeking volunteers to support David's Chair, offering hands-on training sessions that are easy and rewarding. Volunteers play a crucial role in meeting clients, providing the chair for 2-hour time slots, and ensuring it's cleaned for the next use.

Ready to dive in or need more details? Email John to start your volunteering journey.

Lane County Parks, in collaboration with Rivers to Ridges partners, achieved remarkable success during the 2023 prescribed burn season at Howard Buford Recreation Area (HBRA). Spanning nearly 130 acres of prairie and savanna habitats across five burn units, the intentional burns took place in September and October.

Rediscovering Ancient Practices

Fire has been a natural part of the Pacific Northwest landscape for eons. In the Willamette Valley, an open expanse of prairies and savannas thrived for millennia due to the cultural practices of Native people, involving the intentional setting of fires. This historical pattern of frequent, low-intensity fires not only enriched the landscape with food plants like camas but also improved hunting prospects and provided ideal plant material for basket making.

The symbiotic relationship between people and the landscape created a habitat for a rich diversity of plants and animals. However, since the 18th century, the displacement of native communities, repurposing of habitats for farming and urban development, and the exclusion of fire have led to significant impacts on the native ecosystems. Over 90% of the historic prairies and savannas, covering more than 1.5 million acres, have been converted for other uses, putting many plant and wildlife species at risk of extinction or extirpation in the region.



Prescribed Burning: A Restoration Tool

Prescribed burning emerges as a vital management tool to restore prairie and savanna habitats. By reducing the growth of shrubs and trees, controlling non-native plant species, breaking down thatch build-up, and creating conditions for the germination of native grasses and wildflowers, prescribed burning has been part of HBRA's strategy since 1999.

In 2018, Lane County Commissioner's adopted Parks' Howard Buford Recreation Area Habitat Management Plan (HMP), outlining a 15-year plan to restore and maintain vital native habitats. The focus is on prairie, savanna, and associated oak woodland habitats, covering about 1000 acres of the 2014 acre park. HBRA stands as one of the largest remaining blocks of prairie and oak habitat in public ownership in the Willamette Valley.

Controlled Burning for Habitat Health

Intentionally reintroducing fire to the landscape through prescribed or controlled burning is a meticulous process. Conducted under permits approved by Lane Regional Air Pollution Agency and local fire districts, these burns occur under specific weather conditions, ensuring controlled containment within established fire lines and smoke dispersal away from densely populated areas. This approach, combined with other vegetation treatments, reduces fuel loads and forms a crucial part of the community-wide strategy to mitigate the risk of severe wildfires impacting homes and property.

Regrowth and Renewal

Within days of a prescribed burn, regrowth of grasses and wildflowers conceals the burn areas. Yet, the following spring showcases more vigorous regrowth and flowering compared to nearby unburned areas. Notably, purple-flowered camas, a native perennial, flourishes more abundantly in recently burned habitats. Next spring, parks visitors will be able to witness this phenomenon along Trail 2 from the East Trailhead parking lot and in the Spring Box area along Trail 3 from the North Trailhead parking lot.

Regeneration of conifers under oaks, in the absence of fire

Lane County Parks extends gratitude to Rivers to Ridges partners, with special acknowledgment to the Bureau of Land Management and the US Fish and Wildlife Service for their funding and coordination, contributing to the success of the prescribed burn implementation. The efforts signify a significant step in restoring and preserving the natural heritage of Howard Buford Recreation Area for generations to come.

Photos and article by Ed Alverson

Lane County Parks

Natural Areas Coordinator