Written by Lyndsay Moore, Michigan Live, January 16, 2025
MUSKEGON, MI — Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park’s mission is to make outdoor recreation for everyone.
The park has invested in adaptive sports equipment to make that a reality for all skill and ability levels. Tuesday, Feb. 4 is the park’s Accessibility Open House, a free event allowing visitors to try adaptive sports equipment.
The first open house in the spring was a huge success so the park wanted to give a winter offering, outdoor adventure specialist Daniel Bonner said.
“A big part of what we do at Muskegon Luge is make sure recreation is available for anyone,” Bonner said. “No matter their ability, age, skill level. That’s not just people with disabilities, that’s everyone.”
The event, taking place from 1-7 p.m., will showcase a sample of the adaptive recreation options like luge, ice skating, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
For example, skate trainers, ice bikes and skate sleds offer a range of options for those just learning, those with difficulty balancing or those without lower body mobility.
“However we can get people on the ice, to try something new − we’re game. It’s all up to them what they want to try,” Bonner said.
Adaptive cross-country skiing opens the sport up to those without lower body mobility by strapping them into a seat and gliding by double poling with upper body movement only.
Adaptive luge allows the participant to steer the sled with reins instead of body movement. Muskegon Luge has also worked with visitors with visual or hearing impairments to adapt using additional or modified communication.
RELATED: Wheelchair bikes, all-terrain Track Chairs extend accessibility at Sleeping Bear Dunes
The park, which sits within the Muskegon State Park, has a partnership with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to bring four track chairs to the trails.
The all-terrain track chair can be used anywhere in the State Park, including beach sand and snow. The chair can be reserved to use in the park any time. Trails within Muskegon Luge are groomed and marked for accessibility.
RELATED: Tahquamenon Falls has wheelchairs, all-terrain Track Chair for use on park’s paved trails