State Park All-Terrain Wheelchair Program; Fire Ants in South Virginia

Six Virginia Parks Add All-Terrain Wheelchairs 

By Kayla Masterman

Virginia State Parks launched a pilot program in September 2024 with all-terrain wheelchairs, providing those with mobility impairments the opportunity to access and enjoy outdoor areas.

Parks with all-terrain wheelchairs have specific trails that accommodate them. The chairs are free and open to the public but must be reserved 48 hours in advance.

So far, there are six ATWs, all funded by Virginia State Park license plate purchases, one each at Claytor Lake, Mason Neck, New River Trail, Powhatan, Shenandoah River and York River state parks.

Mason Neck State Park Manager Lance Elzie explains the goal is to make the park and the trails as accessible as possible. So far, the response has been encouraging, with some visitors driving nearly 4 hours for an event because the park’s all-terrain wheelchairs made it possible for them to fully enjoy and access the experience.

Invasive Fire Ants Spread in Southern Virginia

By Kayla Masterman

State and federal authorities have set up state and federal quarantines for fire ants in more than 30 Virginia cities and counties in hopes of slowing down the spread and managing the threat posed by the invasive species.

These quarantines regulate human activity that could unintentionally contribute to the fire ants’ spread. For example, businesses in quarantined areas shipping to locations outside of those areas must follow U.S. Department of Agriculture-approved treatment and shipping options. The regulations aim to reduce the impact caused by imported fire ants, including the damage to crops and harm to wildlife.

Fire ants were first detected in Virginia in 1989. Initially, their spread was limited. Since 2017, they have been expanding in the state, particularly in southern Virginia. The warming climate has attracted the insects.