Tennessee State Parks Provide New All-Terrain Wheelchairs at 10 Parks

Issue #135

01 Jul

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

☀️ Columbia Weather - Sunny with a high of 85

📰 Tennessee State Parks Provide New All-Terrain Wheelchairs at 10 Parks

🇺🇸 Columbia's Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs Host 4th of July Celebration

🇺🇸 Reading of the Declaration of Independence in Franklin

🇺🇸 Wednesday: Fireworks, Food & Family Fun at First Baptist Columbia

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

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🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details! 

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Monday, July 1st

Tuesday, July 2nd

Wednesday, July 3rd

Thursday, July 4th 🇺🇸

For a more detailed list of July 3rd and 4th events, go here.

Friday, July 5th

Tennessee State Parks Provide New All-Terrain Wheelchairs at 10 Parks

Last week, Tennessee State Parks announced the availability of new all-terrain wheelchairs at 10 state parks, enhancing accessibility for visitors and bringing the total of parks with all-terrain wheelchairs to 22.

The new wheelchairs announced last week are the result of a collaboration between the parks and Sunrise Medical, which designs and manufactures the wheelchairs, and the Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging. 

New all-terrain wheelchairs announced this week are at these state parks:

  • Cedars of Lebanon State Park

  • Cordell Hull Birthplace State Park

  • David Crockett State Park

  • Fall Creek Falls State Park

  • Fort Pillow State Historic Park

  • Harrison Bay State Park

  • Indian Mountain State Park

  • Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park

  • Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park

  • Sgt. Alvin C. York State Park

“This is an important step for our parks, and we are eager to provide this service,” said Greer Tidwell, deputy commissioner for Conservation at the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. “We are grateful for the work of Sunrise Medical and our partnership with the Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging. Tennessee State Parks are forever and for everyone.”

"At Sunrise Medical, we understand that the world is not flat, and with our Magic Mobility power chairs, we believe that everyone, regardless of ability, should have the opportunity to explore Tennessee’s incredible state parks,” said Larry Jackson, president of Sunrise Medical North America. “We are thrilled to partner with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation to make this vision a reality. We hope other states will follow Tennessee's example and provide more opportunities for individuals with disabilities to explore the great outdoors."

“All-terrain wheelchairs give people with disabilities and older adults opportunities to see the natural beauty within Tennessee State Parks that would otherwise be out of reach,” said Brad Turner, commissioner of the Department of Disability and Aging. “I want to thank Tennessee State Parks and Sunrise Medical for their partnership and unwavering commitment to making our parks accessible to all Tennesseans.”

Other state parks that already have all-terrain wheelchairs are:

  • Booker T. Washington State Park

  • Cove Lake State Park

  • Cumberland Mountain State Park

  • Cummins Falls State Park

  • Chickasaw State Park

  • Henry Horton State Park

  • Long Hunter State Park

  • Natchez Trace State Park

  • Radnor Lake State Park

  • Tims Ford State Park

  • Lamar Alexander Rocky Fork State Park

  • Warriors’ Path State Park

All-terrain wheelchairs are designed to navigate a wide range of terrains. They give visitors with limited mobility the opportunity to access and enjoy outdoor recreation that might otherwise be inaccessible. The chairs are free for visitor use and available for both children and adults. They can be operated independently and offer the option of allowing caretaker control.  

It is possible to request an all-terrain wheelchair upon arrival at a park, but it may already be reserved for another guest, so visitors are asked to give advance notice of the need for a wheelchair. TDEC is working to expand access to all-terrain wheelchairs in parks across the state.

More information about accessibility at Tennessee State Parks can be found here.

Columbia's Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs Host 4th of July Celebration

American flag in the grass

Join the Breakfast Rotary, Noon Rotary, and Kiwanis of Columbia for the 10th anniversary of their 4th of July celebration. This free event will take place on Thursday, July 4, at the Kiwanis shelter in Maury County Park.

The celebration includes an Honoring Ceremony at 8:30 a.m., where three citizens will receive the "Great American Service Above Self Award" for their outstanding contributions to the community. Following the ceremony, the Kid’s Bike Parade will start at 9:15 a.m. Participants are encouraged to dress in red, white, and blue, and decorations will be available for those needing assistance.

The parade, which is for younger children, will feature bikes, wagons, strollers, and even dogs. It will begin at the Kiwanis shelter, loop around the playground, and return to the starting point.

In addition to the ceremony and parade, there will be a children’s essay contest on the meaning of the 4th of July, along with free drinks and snacks for the kids. Other activities will include face painting and caricatures.

The event aims to honor veterans and local community heroes while inspiring patriotism in the youth. The celebration is expected to conclude at 11:30 a.m.

Reading of the Declaration of Independence in Franklin

On July 4th, The Sons of the American Revolution and The Daughters of the American Revolution will read the Declaration of Independence aloud. Several members will be in period clothing. It’s recommended to bring a chair and to arrive no later than 8:30-8:45 AM. Event will last about 40 minutes.

Before you fire up the grill, bring the family to honor America and the events of nearly 250 years ago.

Location: Five Points in Downtown Franklin (the area where Columbia, Main St & 5th Ave intersect)

9 AM

Wednesday: Fireworks, Food & Family Fun at First Baptist Columbia

Join us for our annual event to celebrate the 4th of July! It will be this Wednesday, July 3, from 6pm till dark at our picnic pavilion. Bring your blankets or lawn chairs, meet new friends, and join us in celebrating our freedom as a country and the freedom to worship our God!

🎵 This Week’s Live Music 🎵

Monday, July 1st

Alyssa Hart, Puckett's, 6-7:30 PM

Tuesday, July 2nd

Jay Hoppus, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM

Wednesday, July 3rd

Troy Castellano, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM

Friday, July 5th

Justin Bowman & The Drifters, Grinder's Switch Winery, 7-9 PM
Brother Maven, Puckett’s, 7:30-9 PM
Zone Status, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM

Saturday, July 6th

Khris Glaring Band, The Tilted Mule, 7 PM
Tom Saffell & Robert Johnson, McCreary's Irish Pub, 7-9 PM
Jake Leg Stompers, Puckett’s, 7:30-9 PM
Black Hole Sons, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM

Sunday, July 7th

John Eason, The Tilted Mule, 3 PM
2 Bad Sons, The Rebel Bar & Grill, 4 PM
Dustin Kines, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 5-8 PM
Kenny Durham, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM

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