All Persons Trail at Arcadia

Arcadia is one of several Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuaries that features a universally-accessible All Persons Trail. Find out more about Mass Audubon's accessibility work.

These trails are designed and constructed first to physically meet or exceed Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance, and then to incorporate universally designed interpretive features including educational stops, wildlife viewing boardwalks and platforms, picnic and play areas, and navigation resources including audio directions, guide ropes, curbing, and handrails. 

→ Individual copies of the trail map are available in printed or tactile formats, and a Braille guide is available in the Nature Center.

What to Expect When You Visit

Are you preparing to visit us with your children or a group of students, including those with special needs? If so, we encourage you to review this step-by-step photo tour (Social Story) of Arcadia that shows you what to expect!

About the Loop Trail

Arcadia's Universally Accessible All Persons Trail

Distance: 850-foot accessible pathway

The trail begins at the north side of the Nature Center. It follows a loop that begins on a wooden boardwalk with a hand rail; continues on a wide, level crushed stone path with a guide rope; and returns to the main entrance of the Nature Center. The boardwalk portion may be traveled in both directions if you prefer a shorter walk or decide not to continue on the path.

All stops along the trail are marked by a round wooden bead on the hand rail or along the guide rope. Within reach of the round bead, there is a sign with the stop name and number in print and Braille. A square bead indicates that there is seating nearby.

The first four stops are along the boardwalk next to a vernal pool. The next two stops are on a large deck that intersects the boardwalk from the right and separates the vernal pool from a fire pond—two very different wetland habitats.

From the deck, we continue on the boardwalk for two more stops as we transition to a field habitat. The last four stops will be on the path that encircles this managed grassland habitat. At the last stop, you'll be directed back to the Nature Center.

On your way back, you might like to stop in the picnic area behind the building to have lunch or just spend time enjoying the sounds from the field and woods on either side. We hope you enjoy your visit and that this trail opens your senses in new ways!

Audio Tour

The audio tour is unavailable at this time, as we are currently working to revise it. Our sincere apologies for the inconvenience.

We look forward to sharing the updated version of our audio tour soon!