Expanding Access to Nature: All Persons Trail Enhancements at North River and Daniel Webster

At Mass Audubon, we believe experiencing nature should be possible for everyone. Our universally designed All Persons Trails are expanding opportunities for people with mobility and sensory challenges to connect with the natural world in meaningful ways.

We are pleased to share that the All Persons Trails at two wildlife sanctuaries on the South Shore have recently been enhanced thanks to a Two For The Trails grant from Athletic Brewing Company. These improvements help ensure the trails remain safe, welcoming, and enriching for visitors of all abilities. We are proud to work with Athletic Brewing and grateful for their ongoing commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and outdoor experiences for all.

North River Wildlife Sanctuary Trail Updates

First designed and built in 2015, the popular North River All Persons Trail offers a welcoming journey through a red maple forest, along gently winding boardwalks, and into a lush fern glen. Spanning approximately a half mile, the trail has long provided visitors of all abilities with an immersive and restorative nature experience.

The trail is now being thoughtfully enhanced to further improve accessibility and visitor engagement. Upgrades include a newly resurfaced path, a fully replaced boardwalk, and refreshed interpretive signage featuring enhanced posts and rope guides. New stop markers incorporate braille, raised lettering, and interactive tactile elements. Self-guided tour materials in production include a new audio tour, a tour booklet in large print and braille, and a tactile trail map. Accessible picnic tables near the Nature Center entrance offer a comfortable, welcoming place to rest, reflect, or enjoy a snack.

To celebrate the trail’s reopening, the public is invited to a special event on Friday, May 15, from 9:00–11:00 am. The event will feature a guided walk along the upgraded trail, where participants can enjoy the sights and sounds of spring while listening for songbirds and observing other wildlife along the way. Mobility equipment is available to borrow, including a Freedom Chair, Rollator, seat cane, and trekking poles.

Save Your Spot

Daniel Webster Wildlife Sanctuary Trail Updates

Daniel Webster Wildlife Sanctuary is a popular destination for birdwatchers, offering diverse habitats that support migrating birds. Its expansive grasslands provide vital foraging and hunting areas for raptors and grassland species.

The sanctuary’s All Persons Trail begins at a wheelchair accessible entrance building and gently winds through an open grassy meadow to a wildlife observation blind, offering excellent birdwatching opportunities and close‑up views of pond life along the way.

Recent enhancements further improve accessibility and the visitor experience, including a new offshoot path leading to a multi-use seating area near the bird feeders, resurfaced sections of the parking lot to ensure ADA‑compliant parking, and improved access to the accessible portable restroom.

Visit the Newly Refreshed Trails

The North River and Daniel Webster wildlife sanctuaries in Marshfield are working to improve access by foot, stroller, or wheelchair to ensure visitors of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds can explore nature.

Visit North River

Visit Daniel Webster