Adaptive Equipment Usage - Montgomery Parks

Montgomery Parks Adaptive Equipment Usage Guidelines

Montgomery Parks strives to promote access and inclusion within the public places, facilities, and programs the department manages.
The Program Access Office (Inclusion Services) has made various adaptive equipment available throughout the county for people at no additional cost to the user.

Procedures will vary based on the location. Please read each description for specific details.

For general questions about the adaptive equipment, contact the Program Access Office or 301-495-2581. Se habla Español.

Accessible Golf Card from Program Access Montgomery Parks

Accessible Youth Tennis Chari from Program Access Montgomery Parks

Accessible Adult Tennis Wheelchair 4 Wheaton Tennis

Powerless Golf Ball Dispenser South Germantown Driving Range

Automatic Tee Up Range Servant at South Germantown Driving Range

Adaptive Fishing Kit Complete at Black Hill Boat House

A photo of a pair of EnChroma sunglasses. Behind the glasses is a splash of color and the word EnChroma written on the bottom

Pole Holder for Wheelchair at Black Hill Boat House

Adaptive Gardening Chair Black Hill Visitor Center

A person using an All Terrain Wheelchair

Adaptive Equipment Available

Please click the equipment name to see a full description along with reservation procedures.
Prior to visiting any of our parks or facilities, please check facility webpages for hours of operation.

The GRIT Freedom Chair is a mix between a manual wheelchair and a mountain bike designed for use on natural surface and paved trails.

Location: Brookside Nature Center 1400 Glenallan Ave Wheaton, MD 20902

Nature Center Hours: Wednesday-Saturday, 10am-4pm; Sunday 12pm-4pm.

Please contact Brookside Nature Center at 301-962-1480 or email mcp-brooksidenc@montgomeryparks.org to make a reservation at least 5 days prior to your anticipated visit.

Important Information

Reservation Confirmation:

Please call at least 5 days prior to your anticipated visit to ensure staff availability.
The chair can be borrowed for up to 2 hours at a time.
Users will be required to sign a waiver, and if hiking solo, to fill out an emergency contact card, which they will keep on them for the duration of their visit.
Users will exchange an important item, such as their ID, credit card, or car keys to use the chair. User’s item will be held safely by facility staff and will be returned upon the chair‘s return.

Safety Recommendations:

For your safety, we strongly encourage hiking with another person and carrying a cell phone.

We encourage users to check the weather and the sunset conditions to ensure you are back before it gets dark. Please note that trail conditions are subject to change based on weather and can be more strenuous based on different times of the year. We reserve the right to cancel reservations in the event of unsafe conditions for visitors or trails.

Dogs are welcome on the Pine Lake trail around Brookside Nature Center and on all trails in Wheaton Regional Park but please use your best judgment. The GRIT Freedom Chair has large, moving wheels that some dogs may not be used to. If your dog is anxious, reactive, or uncomfortable around wheelchairs, strollers, or bikes, we kindly ask that you leave them at home. This helps ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone on the trail. Please note that pets are not allowed at Brookside Gardens. Service animals are always welcome.

Physical Requirements:

Riders must be able to independently transfer, or transfer with the assistance of a companion, into the GRIT chair.

Riders must fall within the height range of 4’10” to 6’8″ and weigh under 300 pounds.

The chair is designed for individuals who may have difficulty using traditional wheelchairs due to terrain challenges. While the chair does not require extreme upper body strength, users need to be able to push and pull the levers to propel the chair. The chair also includes Trail Handles, which can be pushed by a companion, if the user needs assistance maneuvering the trails or terrain.

Recommended Trails

For a map of the trails available nearby Brookside Nature Center, please view the link to the Wheaton Regional Trails Map. Maps are also available inside the Nature Center. All of the trails are shared with the general public, and some are open to horses, so please stay alert and always yield to horses.

Some trails to explore include:

Pine Lake Trail
- Pine Lake Trail is an easy one-way .43 mile natural surface trail. Please note that this trail includes rocks, roots, and moderate inclines. The trail leads to access to a paved trail and boardwalk around Pine Lake.

Harper’s Cabin Trail
- This one-way 0.13 mile natural surface trail will give you views of the historic Harper Cabin and the Meadow.

Brookside Gardens Access
- Brookside Gardens is accessible across a small boardwalk and through a deer gate in the Nature Center parking lot. The gate may be inaccessible for wheelchair users due to the wide sweep of the door and may need to be opened by a companion.

Video Tutorials:

Learn how to transfer in and out of the GRIT Freedom Chair by watching the video “Transferring In and Out of the GRIT Freedom Chair”

Learn how to use the GRIT Freedom Chair by watching the video “How to Use the GRIT Freedom Chair”

Learn how to get out of tight spots while in the GRIT Freedom Chair by watching the video “How to Get Unstuck”

*The GRIT Freedom Chair is available to the public starting on September 22, 2026. Please call to make a reservation.*

A mix between a manual wheelchair and a mountain bike designed for use on natural surface trails.

Location: Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park Visitor Center 16501 Norwood Road, Sandy Spring, MD 20860

Park Visitor Center Hours:  April to November, Friday & Saturday – 10am to 4pm, Sunday – 12 to 4 pm

To make a reservation, please call 301-929-5989 or email mcp-woodlawnprograms@montgomeryparks.org. Office hours are Tuesday – Friday 10 am – 4 pm.

Please follow the following instructions if you are on an independent visit to Woodlawn Manor Visitor Center. If you are interested in using the GRIT chair for a group tour, please visit the Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park Group Tour webpage.

Important Information

Reservation Details 

Please call two weeks in advance to reserve the GRIT chair. Reservations must be made in advance to ensure availability.

The chair can be borrowed for up to 4 hours at a time.

Users will be asked to sign a waiver and provide an emergency contact.

Users will exchange an item of collateral, such as their keys or their personal mobility device, for use of the GRIT chair.

Safety Recommendations: 

Due to trail conditions, we require that you hike with a companion. The trail becomes very narrow and rocky, and you may need help maneuvering the GRIT chair throughout your hike. We also encourage users to check the weather and the sunset conditions to ensure you are back before 4pm.

Please keep the following safety tips in mind:

Before a storm:

Check the latest weather forecast from a trusted, local source before leaving home.

Watch for signs of an approaching thunderstorm.

Postpone outdoor activities if thunderstorms are imminent.

When thunderstorms approach:

REMEMBER that if you can hear thunder, a storm is close. Go to a safe shelter immediately such as a sturdy building or car.

If you are caught outside and no shelter is available, find a low spot away from trees, fences, poles, and open spaces.

You can determine how close lightning is striking by counting how long it takes to hear thunder after you see a flash.

Five seconds equal one mile (10 = 2 miles; 20 = 4 miles; 30 = 6 miles).

It’s usually safe after no thunder or lightning has been observed for thirty minutes.

Physical Requirements:

Riders must fall within the height range of 4’10” to 6’8″ and weigh under 300 pounds. The chair is designed for individuals who may have difficulty using traditional wheelchairs due to terrain challenges. While the chair does not require extreme upper body strength, users need to be able to push and pull the levers to propel the chair. The chair also includes Trail Handles if the user needs assistance maneuvering the trails or terrain.

Trail Etiquette

Even though the GRIT Freedom Chair can handle rough terrain, taking it on muddy trails can cause ruts and damage to the path. To help preserve the trails for all users, please avoid using mobility devices on soft, wet ground. Ahead of your visit, please check that the Underground Railroad Experience Trail is open by checking the Rainout Line. Even when it is not raining, the trail may be closed due to previous rainy weather and the resulting mud.

Trail Options

Underground Railroad Experience Trail

The out and back natural surface trail is approximately 2 miles long (4 miles round-trip) through fields and woods. Created in 1998, the Underground Railroad Experience Trail was established by Montgomery Parks to honor the 19th century history of Sandy Spring and Montgomery County. While there is no documented evidence that Woodlawn Manor’s owners or buildings were involved in the Underground Railroad, the Trail is intended to recreate the journey of 19th-century freedom seekers. It features signs and markers indicating techniques for navigation, eluding detection, and finding food and shelter by those escaping slavery.

The trail becomes single-file in many places and features several inclines and declines. The trail is accessible to hikers and equestrians. Please keep in mind that hikers must yield to horses while on the trail.

Video Tutorials:

Learn how to transfer in and out of the GRIT Freedom Chair by watching the video “Transferring In and Out of the GRIT Freedom Chair”

Learn how to use the GRIT Freedom Chair by watching the video “How to Use the GRIT Freedom Chair”

Learn how to get out of tight spots while in the GRIT Freedom Chair by watching the video “How to Get Unstuck”