Parks have played an increasingly essential role in public well-being since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and now governments are investing in expanded accessibility for outdoor recreation areas. This spring, a Colorado county launched a Trailability Program to expand trail access for people who use wheelchairs.
The improvements to NBSP, announced earlier this month, mean visitors can download the free RightHear mobile application to experience the new accessibility system and learn about the park, named for its 200-foot-tall natural bridge.
The system is made of 14 strategically placed Bluetooth beacons throughout the park, the purchase of which was made possible through a grant from the Rockbridge Community Health Foundation and the Friends of Natural Bridge State Park, according to NBSP Assistant Park Manager Dave Myers.
“We feel that everybody should have ease of access at the park,” Myers said. “And this is one small step in that direction, and we’re really happy to be a part of that.”
Visitors arriving at the park can either download or open their app to experience their first interaction with a beacon at the front door to the visitor center, informing visitors of information about nearby restrooms and the ticket counter's location.
Some beacons offer wayfinding information on where to go and what to do. Others are attached to the park’s interpretive panels, so visitors can learn more when they approach. The beacons will inform visitors about park programming, park history and where to find park rangers. All informational content the beacons provide is developed by park staff, Myers said.
This technology was adopted with the intention of serving visitors with visual impairments, but like many technologies that expand access, there are also benefits for the broader population.
In NBSP’s case, the system is also particularly impactful for park visitors who do not speak or read English. The application automatically translates information into 26 languages; and as Myers noted, the park gets a lot of international visitors who may prefer to listen in their own language.
Myers said NBSP is developing signage at the front of the park with a QR code to help people more easily access the app and get the information they need in a language they understand.
The park management team first became aware of this technology through direct feedback from a park visitor who is blind, and visitor feedback will guide how it may operate in the future. Visitor feedback, Myers noted, can continually improve the system by identifying information that is missing. If changes are requested, he said the interface used allows NBSP staff to modify language and information. Myers credited park visitors who are blind for their willingness to test and provide honest feedback on the system.
NBSP is currently working with RightHear to give feedback and address needs as they arise, to help enhance the technology for users in the park and beyond.
For other parks exploring implementing similar systems, Myers emphasized the value of listening to feedback from visitors to enhance their experience.
