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National Park Foundation supports Friends Access for All campaign, highlights larger mission in new video
December 11, 2024
The National Park Foundation and partner L.L. Bean today released a video showcasing their role in supporting Access for All, the Friends of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore campaign designed to fund construction of an accessible ramp at Meyers Beach – gateway to the mainland sea caves – as well as other accessibility projects. The new ramp and wider staircase, scheduled for construction next summer, will replace an old, narrow staircase that can be challenging to navigate, especially for people with mobility issues and for people carrying kayaks to and from the beach.
The video, shot at Meyers Beach this summer, features Michael Halder, a man who loves the outdoors, and who has cerebral palsy. On the day of the shoot, guides from Wilderness Inquiry and Halder paddled to the mainland sea caves after navigating the existing staircase.
Halder considers himself very fortunate to be able to get out in the wilderness and says, “I love the outdoors.”
Michael Halder climbs into kayak – NPF photo by Sharon Marie Wright
Michael Halder paddles to the sea caves – NPF photo by Sharon Marie Wright
Wilderness Inqury Executive Director Erika Rivers says “Opening the beauty and popularity of the national lakeshore to everyone, including our many participants who experience and live with a disability, is core to our work in the area and our mission of helping all people experience the best of the Apostle Islands.” The National Park Foundation says its goal in supporting the project and others like it is to “ensure that national parks are open and inclusive to everyone.”
Friends of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore raised more than $325,000 for Access for All, thanks to 500 individual and corporate donors. The National Park Foundation and National Park Service Centennial Challenge program provided matching money to make possible this largest project in Friends history.
Executive Director Jeff Rennicke says the Meyers Beach ramp is one of a series of accessibility projects funded by Friends – an accessible amphitheater on Stockton Island, a viewing platform at Little Sand Bay and accessible boardwalks elsewhere in the park. Rennicke says, “It all begins with getting people safely to these special places that they will fall in love with and want to give back to. Access is the key to it all.” Rennicke says Friends is now working on a program designed to help people with differing abilities to make use of these facilities and enjoy the park.
Superintendent Lynne Dominy talking with Michael Halder – NPF photo by Sharon Marie Wright
Superintendent Lynne Dominy says accessibility is a priority in the park. She says getting to this point is a major milestone, an effort that started five yars ago when Friends funded a feasibility study in partnership with Wisconsin Coastal Management. AIM Consulting Engineers from Superior, Wisconsin prepared the preliminary conceptual designs which included a wheelchair-accessible sloped walkway, additional access to the beach, and an improved staircase with a watercraft flume/handrail. The current design includes two switchbacks rather than one and maintains the core features.
Initial concept drawing of Meyers Beach Ramp
Dominy says it’s important to thank Friends, the National Park Foundation and the many donors who collaborated to make the ramp possible. She and her team are now preparing to put the ramp project up for contractor bids. When the bids come back, she says a timeline will follow. Dominy says the intent is to maintain access to Meyers Beach during construction, and she’s already communicated that to kayak outfitters authorized to provide visitor services in the park.
We, the National Park Service, and our donors and partners look forward to breaking ground for the accessible ramp and to cutting the ribbon during the summer of 2025. Watch for continuing coverage of the ramp project and Access for All on the Friends website. To learn more about “Making the isolated accessible: Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is transforming a remote park into an accessible destination“, read the feature story on the National Park Foundation website.
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