Walpole, NH (April 21st, 2026) – Distant Hill Gardens & Nature Trail is proud to announce that it has been awarded a 2025 Direct Effect, 2nd Cycle, Quality of Life Grant of $24,999 from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation National Paralysis Resource Center (NPRC) to support its new Trail Accessibility Initiative. Distant Hill is one of 56 organizations awarded Direct Effect Quality of Life Grants in 2025, totaling $1,141,186. 

Distant Hill is deeply honored to receive this generous grant from the Reeve Foundation. This support will enable the organization to purchase a TerrainHopper all-terrain mobility vehicle, increasing accessibility across their entire trail network.

“Over the past thirteen years,” noted Michael Nerrie, the founder, builder, and steward of Distant Hill, “we have carefully designed and built more than two miles of wheelchair-accessible trails, in addition to miles of non-accessible hiking trails. However, due to the terrain, some areas of the 155-acre property cannot support traditional accessible trail construction. Until now, those areas have remained inaccessible to many visitors. But thanks to the Reeve Foundation Quality of Life grant, the TerrainHopper mobility vehicle changes that. It removes the last barrier to accessibility, opening all of our trails—not just designated accessible routes—to wheelchair users and others with mobility challenges."

With this grant, Distant Hill is making a big step toward fulfilling its mission to make nature and outdoor spaces accessible to everyone in the community so that all can experience the beauty, health benefits, and deep connection that come from exploring the natural world.

“Quality of Life Grants represent more than just funding—they represent freedom, possibility, and dignity for individuals living with paralysis.” 

Dan McNeal, Director Quality of Life Grants 

The Quality of Life Grants Program supports nonprofit organizations that serve individuals living with paralysis. Since the program’s inception, it has awarded more than 4,100 grants totaling $50 million. Funding for this program is made possible through a cooperative agreement with the Administration for Community Living (ACL grant #90PRRC0006-05).

The Reeve Foundation’s National Paralysis Resource Center offers several grants through its Quality of Life program, with awards available in multiple categories and at varying funding levels. The Priority Impact Grants program supports organizations that implement a wide range of projects and activities that benefit individuals living with paralysis and their families.

The TerrainHopper mobility vehicle is part of an effort in Monadnock Outdoors for the gear library expansion initiative supported alongside the Cheshire County Conservation District. Monadnock Outdoors is a partnership of community leaders dedicated to building a healthier, more connected community where individuals thrive by engaging with nature and maintaining an active lifestyle. Our goal is to promote physical activity, active transportation, and a love for the outdoors to contribute to the overall well-being and vitality of the Monadnock region. Learn more about the Gear Library and how gear, similar to the addition of the new TerrainHopper, helps our community access the outdoors!

This initiative is made possible through community support and the Healthy Monadnock Alliance.

Distant Hill Website: distanthill.org

Distant Hill Phone number: 603-756-4179

Contact for Distant Hill

Hannah Silverblank

Distant Hill Gardens & Nature Trail, Trail Accessibility Initiative

215-850-4148

hannah@distanthill.org

Contact for the Reeve Foundation

media@reeve.org

About the Reeve Foundation:

The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by funding innovative research and improving the quality of life for individuals and families impacted by paralysis. By uniting the brightest minds in the field, we are working tirelessly to accelerate scientific discoveries across the field of spinal cord research by investing in labs across the globe. Additionally, through a cooperative agreement with the Administration for Community Living, the Reeve Foundation’s National Paralysis Resource Center (NPRC) promotes the health, well-being, and independence of people living with paralysis, providing comprehensive information, resources, and referral services assisting over 139,000 individuals and families since its launch in 2002. The Reeve Foundation is committed to elevating our community’s voices and needs to achieve greater representation and independence. We meet all 20 of the Better Business Bureau’s standards for charity accountability and hold the BBB’s Charity Seal. For more information, please visit our website at www.ChristopherReeve.org or call 800-225-0292. 

About Distant Hill Gardens and Nature Trail:

Distant Hill Gardens and Nature Trail is on a mission to make nature and the outdoors accessible to everyone. We aim to inspire and empower children and adults of all abilities, to build a close connection with the natural world through education, observation, and play. We also seek to teach visitors to Distant Hill the importance of nature-based activities and recreation for their overall health and wellness.

About Cheshire County Conservation District

The Cheshire County Conservation District promotes the conservation and responsible use of our natural and agricultural resources for the people of Cheshire County by providing technical, financial, and educational assistance. Our goal is to encourage the stewardship of healthy soils, productive ecologically sound farms, diverse wildlife, productive sustainable forests, healthy watersheds, and clean water to ensure those resources are available for future generations. Established in 1945, the Conservation District operates out of Walpole, NH where we work alongside the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and other conservation partners For more information contactinfo@cheshireconservation.orgor 603-904-3011.

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