Path upgrades to improve accessibility

A small trail improvement has made the Warburton Trail accessible for a Mount Evelyn family, thanks to works from Council.

In August, Council officers worked to landscape a small section of the trail connecting Bailey Road to the Graham Colling Reserve in Mount Evelyn, following a conversation with Kaye, a local mother.

Kaye told Council’s Recreation, Parks and Facilities Team that a small section of path connecting the reserve to Bailey Road was uneven and difficult to navigate for her daughter, Sophie, who has a disability and uses an adaptive bike.

The difficult terrain made it impossible for Sophie to access the reserve, and the Lilydale to Warburton Trail on the other side.

Council Project Officer, Ritchie Donald, said the works were minor, but had already made a significant impact on Kaye’s family.

“We came out and landscaped this access point to the reserve, laying down gravel and ensuring that the surface wouldn’t wash away in heavy rain,” Ritchie said.

“It’s been three months since the works were completed, and we’ve had fantastic feedback from Kaye about the path.”

Kaye said the improvement meant that Sophie could easily get to the Warburton Trail on her adaptive bike with her Support worker’s assistance.

“Sophie loves going on bike rides with her energetic brothers,” she said.

“Having a smooth and wide trail access means that Sophie can continue riding her bike and is prevented from falls climbing up and down uneven terrain. 

“We are prevented from injury supporting her and from lifting her bike, as specialised bikes are heavy to lift.”

Council’s Disability Inclusion Officer, Amanda May, said these works were the latest effort from Council to improve accessibility in the region.

“These works make a big difference to Sophie being able to enjoy the outdoors with her family and I am grateful for Ritchie and his team’s responsiveness and dedication to come up with a solution.

In previous years, Council officers upgraded road crossings and access points to the Lilydale-to-Warburton Trail to ensure they were accessible for people with disability, using a wheelchair or adaptive bikes.

For more information about Council’s work in this space, visit yarraranges.vic.gov.au/disabilitysupport