Accessible Trail Project: Construction Underway

Work is now underway on the Accessible Trail in the Medicine Woods. This long-anticipated project marks an important step forward in our commitment to making the Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum a welcoming, safe, and enriching place for visitors of all ages and abilities.

At the Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to connect with nature and learn about Native traditions in an inclusive environment. The Accessible Trail project is designed to ensure that the Medicine Woods can be experienced more fully by visitors with mobility challenges, families with strollers, and others who have found the existing terrain difficult to navigate.

Our Vision for the Medicine Woods

The Medicine Woods is a distinctive outdoor learning environment that highlights the natural world and its deep connections to Native American culture. The goals of this project remain the same as construction begins:

• Create an accessible path
  A new trail is being built to provide a smooth, stable, and enjoyable route suitable for wheelchairs, strollers, and visitors with limited mobility.

• Improve safety and comfort
  The project addresses uneven terrain and steep slopes, incorporates seating where appropriate, and creates a more secure and welcoming space for all visitors.

• Enhance educational interpretation
  Updated signage will share Abenaki names for plants and explain their cultural significance, including traditional uses in crafts, medicine, and sustenance.

Looking Ahead

Once completed, the Accessible Trail will allow more visitors to explore the Medicine Woods at their own pace, deepen their understanding of Native relationships to the land, and enjoy this special place with greater ease and confidence. We are grateful to everyone who helped make this project possible and look forward to sharing updates as construction progresses.  Thanks to Pellettieri Associates and J. D. Hanna Excavating for helping us bring this project to life.