Trail Tour Rides Again

For two days this past September, the volunteers of the Platteville Community Arboretum (PCA) hosted the 3rd Accessible Trail Tour. This idea was derived from Tom Loeffelholz and Ron Weier in 2023: Provide a way for people to see the trail who have mobility issues.

However, this only happens with the generosity of Platteville citizens. The golf carts are donated for the day by private cart owners who typically use them at the Platteville Golf & Country Club. Some of these owners volunteered to drive their cart for the tours as well. A 6-person cart donated from Tim Boldt of Pioneer Ford was also used.

Unlike the first two years, this year we offered rides on two different days. The first was planned with residents of Park Place Senior Living in the morning, and then folks that go to the Platteville Senior Center in the afternoon. The second day was open to the public.

The trail rides started, and ended, at the trailhead behind Menard’s on Keystone Parkway. A ride takes less than an hour and features the company of a volunteer driver along with views of the creek most of the way, several gardens, outdoor artwork, and crossing a former railroad bridge. However, most drivers will tell you that they enjoyed the reactions and stories from the riders, and all the happy memories they share. It turns into a learning experience for both the riders and the volunteers.

About 60 people participated in the trail tour this past year, which is double the number for the first year. Since it seems to be a worthwhile event, the PCA will plan for a 4th Accessible Trail Tour.