Arriving
Disability Pride Outside will be taking place at Black Hill Regional Park, located at 20926 Lake Ridge Drive Boyds, Maryland 20841.
We recommend you bring a hat, sunscreen, and a pre-filled water bottle.
When you arrive at the park, follow the road until you arrive at the Black Hill Discovery Center, where the event will take place. There will be signage directing you where to park your car or to be dropped off.
Parking
Accessible and van accessible parking will be available close to the Black Hill Discovery Center. Additional parking will be available to the left of the Discovery Center. A wheelchair accessible shuttle cart will be available to take participants from the Black Hill Discovery Center to the water-based activities and back.
Event Kick Off
The event begins at 9:30am. Participants are welcome to park, purchase a coffee, and find a spot to get ready for the event kick-off. The event kick-off will begin at 10am, on the front lawn of the Black Hill Discovery Center. During this time, we will be commemorating the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act with speakers, breakfast, and music. There will be sign language interpretation, which will also be available throughout the event.
Activities
Activities will begin at 10:30 am. Kayaking, pontoon boat rides, and fishing are timed and require pre-registered tickets. All other activities are open to all attendees.
Kayaking
While kayaking, you will be paddling on calm, flat water in a relaxed and safe environment. It is recommended that you bring sunglasses, a hat, close-toed shoes you don’t mind getting wet, and any other clothing or accessories to help you stay cool.
Please be aware that the ground around the dock is uneven, with both grass and rocky terrain.
When you arrive at the kayaking area, you will present your ticket on your phone to a staff member.
Next, you will be fitted with a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) which will be adjusted to fit snugly. Then we will size you for a kayak with proper legroom and foot brace adjustments.
Adaptive supports such as transfer benches, hand and wrist support, outriggers, supportive seating systems, and support staff are available if needed.
Someone will help you carry your kayak either to the water or to the accessible kayak launch. If you enter from the shore, your feet will get wet when you enter the kayak.
Pontoon Boat Tour
Black Hill Discovery Center staff will be offering two 45-minute tours of Little Seneca Lake on their pontoon boat.
Before boarding the dock, you will present your ticket on your phone to a staff member
The dock floats on the water, which means it may rock. Before boarding, you will have the option of putting on a PFD which will be adjusted to your size and will be a snug fit for safety. The pontoon boat has a roof, so you will be mostly shielded from the sun while on tour.
It is recommended that you wear hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
Fishing
Fishing will take place on the fishing deck, which is located to the left of the boating area. It is recommended that you wear hats, sunglasses, and sunblock for this activity.
Before entering the fishing deck, you will present your fishing ticket on your phone to a staff member.
This is a floating dock, and the angle of the ramp changes depending on the water levels. It may not always be ADA accessible, but staff can guide you to alternative fishing spots. We encourage you to bring your own fishing equipment, but Black Hill Discovery Center will be able to provide equipment on a first-come, first-served basis. There will be people available to assist you.
Boat Rentals
There will be additional kayaks and pedal boats available for rent from the Black Hill Boat Rental near the kayaking location. You must present a license or photo ID to rent a boat. You must wear a life jacket while on the boat.
Additional Activities
There will also be open-ended activities, including:
Adaptive Mountain Biking Demos
You will find this activity on the hill to the right of the Black Hill Discovery Center.
The adaptive mountain bikes that will be featured have hand controls, seated and laying positions, e-assist, and other adaptations. You will be able to observe and learn about how adaptive mountain bikes work as well as try one out for yourself. Participants must be at least 8 years old to ride bikes. Younger participants may sit on bikes. While testing out the mountain bikes, you must sign a waiver, or have a waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian, wear a helmet, and follow safety precautions from the event staff.
Birding Lesson
If you want to learn all about the birds in your neighborhood, there will be short lessons on birding that will be held on the accessible deck of the Black Hill Discovery Center between 10:30am and 1pm.
You will be provided with binoculars and bird ID guides to help you learn the basics of birding. You will also be provided with other accessible amenities such as large-printed birding guides and EnChroma colorblind glasses.
Black Hill Discovery Center
The Discovery Center is located right in front of the accessible parking lot.
You will be able to find a wide range of activities to do in and around the Discovery Center. These activities include; a tactile nature scavenger hunt, sand pit, music garden, and mud kitchen.
You will also be able to view an exhibit on the history of Americans with Disabilities Act and read children’s books on disability pride.
Hiking
We recommend you try out the Black Hill trail, which is paved and close to the Discovery Center. The trail is 4.6 miles with gentle inclines but feel free to turn around anytime. Black Hill trail will also feature signs along it with information about the Americans with Disabilities Act. You can get a trail guide to use during your hike from the Discovery Center.
Bathrooms
You will find three accessible bathrooms located near the main activities. One inside the Discovery Center, one in the hilltop parking lot, and an accessible Port-A-John near the Kayak Launch. The indoor bathrooms are gendered; they include accessible toilets, sinks, hand dryers, and paper towels.
Food Concessions
There will be free food available at the event kick-off, which is located outside on the lawn of the Black Hill Discovery Center.
Travelin’ Toms Coffee will also be onsite with coffee, tea, and other beverages available for purchase. You are welcome to bring your own food.
Break Areas
You can take breaks as needed in our two sensory retreat tents. The tent is a quiet space where you can relax, play with provided fidgets, and sensory tools, and take a break from the events. One tent will be located next to the gazebo by the lake and the other will be next to the Black Hill Discovery Center.
Cooling Station
You will also have a place to cool down next to the sensory retreat tents. There will be a cooling station with fans and a water cooler at each tent. We encourage you to bring a refillable water bottle to use with the cooler.
Keep Our Park Clean
Please help take care of our parks by throwing trash and recycling in their respective bins.
Additional Information/ Services
If you need any additional information or other accommodations, contact Montgomery Parks’s Program Access at programaccess@montgomeryparks.org or 301-495-2581
