What is a GRIT Freedom Chair?
The GRIT Freedom Chair is an all-terrain wheelchair which can be used manually or with the help of a “co-navigator” who can help the borrower maneuver as necessary. Engineers at MIT built the GRIT Chair to help differently abled borrowers navigate the outdoors along with their loved ones for regular exercise and adventure.
With our lending program, NCLT aims to provide community members with different abilities a channel for free and easy use of our two GRIT Chairs.
How to Borrow a Chair
Please note:
- All GRIT Chair borrower must be accompanied by a “co-navigator” who is able to assist them for the entire outing while the chair is being used.
- The GRIT Freedom Chairs are loaned on a first come, first served basis. We advise you book a pick-up day and time at least a week in advance.
- Both borrower and co-navigator must complete a short in-person demonstration training if it is the first time using the chair.
To schedule an appointment to use one of our GRIT Freedom Chairs please reach out through our email gritbooking@northcountylandtrust.org.
As a part of making an appointment to use a chair, we will email potential users a form which they must complete before taking out a chair. This includes a liability document, links to our video tutorials on how to use the chair, and a few basic questions about themselves for our documentation and reporting purposes.
Program Hours
The hours for drop off or pick up are 9am-3pm by appointment via emailing gritbooking@northcountylandtrust.org. Requests to borrow a chair must be submitted at least one week ahead of time. Requests that are submitted less than one week ahead of time will be reviewed on a case by case basis, but availability cannot be guaranteed.
Location and Access
The chairs are housed at NCLT headquarters, located in the Doyle Community Park and Center at 325 Lindell Ave, Leominster. Borrowers must be able to arrange for pick up of the chair.
If you will be late to your appointment please call ahead and inform North County Land Trust staff. If you are more than 30 minutes late without notice, we cannot guarantee the availability of the chair.
The designated parking area for loading the chair into your vehicle for transportation to a second location is marked on the map as Pick-Up Parking. The parking area to be used for borrowers who plan to use the chair on site at the Doyle Conversation Center trails is marked on the map as Day-Use Parking. Please make sure to park in the appropriate designated area.
Parking Map
GRIT Friendly Trails
We are currently putting together a list of GRIT Chair friendly trails, but in the meantime we recommend Underwood Conservation property “The Wild Walk: a Wheely Good Trail”, the Doyle Conservation Area trails, or rail trails or flat trails without obstacles.
Helpful Tutorial Videos
These videos and more helpful information comes from the GRIT Freedom Chair web page, which can be found at www.gogrit.us.
Establishment of this program was made possible, in part, by funding from Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund.