Celebrating Access, Partnership, and Disability Pride at NC State Parks
In honor of Disability Pride Month, Waypoint Adventure North Carolina recently joined NC State Parks and NC Friends of State Parks for a Celebration of Access at Lake James State Park. The event recognized a growing partnership dedicated to making North Carolina’s state parks more welcoming and accessible for people with disabilities through staff training, adaptive recreation programs, and shared commitment across all three organizations.
Approximately 80 people with and without disabilities gathered for the celebration, enjoying a free lunch, adaptive equipment demonstrations, and time together in community. Guests had the opportunity to learn about and try adaptive hiking and kayaking equipment while hearing from leaders and community members about the importance of access in outdoor spaces.
The program featured remarks from North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary Pam Cashwell, NC State Parks Director Brian Strong, Waypoint Adventure North Carolina Director Adam Combs, and Waypoint participant Troy Heatly. Their reflections centered on a shared vision: state parks where people of all abilities can experience adventure, belonging, and the confidence that comes from being included.
During the celebration, Friends of State Parks Executive Director Michelle Leonard and Waypoint Adventure North Carolina Director Adam Combs were honored to receive a letter from Governor Josh Stein commemorating the partnership and recognizing the investment being made to expand access across North Carolina’s state parks.
Since the partnership began, NC State Parks, NC Friends of State Parks, and Waypoint Adventure North Carolina have worked together to provide adaptive paddling and hiking programs, train park staff, and create more opportunities for people with disabilities to connect with the outdoors. We’re proud to say that, together, we have facilitated 45 accessible adventure programs, served 320 people with disabilities, and led 13 trainings for around 50 state park staff—all with the goal of ensuring that NC State Parks are accessible to people with a wide range of disabilities. This celebration was both a moment to reflect on that impact and a reminder that the work continues.
We are grateful to everyone who attended, volunteered, spoke, supported, and helped make the day possible. Together, we are building a future where access is not an afterthought, but a shared responsibility—and where everyone has the opportunity to experience the joy, connection, and possibility of North Carolina’s state parks.
