Frick Park’s Trackchair Program Allows Lovebirds to Explore the Great Outdoors Together

PHOTO COURTESY OF APRIL TUCKER

Hailey Tucker is a typical teenager; she enjoys putting on make-up, shopping at the mall, listening to music, practicing yoga, lounging on the beach and people-watching at Kennywood.

At her Sweet Sixteen party in March, she danced the night away with her boyfriend, Maddock “Doc” Wall. The lovebirds have limited mobility and are non-speaking, but that doesn’t stop them from living life to the fullest.

“We are always looking for adventures,” says Hailey’s mom, April Tucker. “She still gets sick sometimes, but she’s mostly happy — and a little bit bossy.”

In May, Hailey and Doc went on two dates at Frick Park in Squirrel Hill South. Thanks to the Pittsburgh Park Conservancy’s new Trackchair Program, they were able to explore the wide, wooded pathway side-by-side on electric-powered, all-terrain wheelchairs.

The ST24 Trackchairs, paid for by a private funder, provide traction and stability and are adaptable for right-hand, left-hand or attendant control. They include accessories such as oxygen tank holders, adaptive seats and lateral leg and trunk supports. The devices can navigate slopes up to 20 degrees and go through 8 to 10 inches of water.

After explaining the safety procedures and operating instructions, trained volunteers accompanied the teens on their journey and operated the Trackchairs. A parent or legal guardian must be present with a user under the age of 18, but the extra help allows April, along with Doc’s mom, Destiny Wall, to hold their children’s hands and enjoy the natural beauty of the park.

“I don’t think people understand how big that is,” says April, who’s been raising Hailey on her own. “Just to know that someone is willing to do that is amazing. The volunteers are the best people in the world.”

Hailey, who was born five weeks premature and weighed 4 pounds, 7 ounces, usually communicates through an Augmentative and Alternative Communication device, which she’s dubbed “the talker.” It wasn’t functioning during our interview, so she had to make-do with a limited number of words on her tablet to tell me about Doc, who she described as “big” and “old.” (He’s 17.)

Doc only uses his communication device at The Children’s Institute in Squirrel Hill, where he met Hailey four years ago, but he isn’t afraid to express what’s on his mind, usually by flapping his hands.

When his hands start flapping, that’s when Destiny puts herself in his shoes.

She’s a self-described “bulldog” when it comes to advocating for Doc, who is the youngest of her three children, but she doesn’t baby the baby of the family.

Doc knew his colors, numbers, address and phone number before he turned 4 and continues to problem-solve his way into adulthood, despite having cerebral palsy, epilepsy and other challenges. He’s a laidback Disney fanatic, while Hailey takes a more in-your-face approach to relationships.

Both mothers encourage people, especially kids, to engage with Hailey and Doc when they see them in public by asking questions or offering words of affirmation. The teenagers have active lives, even though accessibility can still be an issue for them 36 years after the Americans with Disabilities Act became law.

PHOTO COURTESY OF APRIL TUCKER

That’s why they participated in the eight-week pilot Trackchair Program last fall before the May 2026 launch. The devices were tested on the new Sensory Nature Trail, a fully accessible one-third-mile stretch located beside the Frick Environmental Center. The center also has a Lending Library that provides free assistive resources, sensory bags and exploration backpacks to enhance the park experience for all visitors.

“The demand continues to be strong,” says Catherine Qureshi, president and CEO of the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. “Our hope is to be able to offer this in more parks in the future. We are learning from it often and things will change as we go and receive feedback.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF APRIL TUCKER

Four Trackchairs are on loan free of charge for people 5 and older.

Scheduling differs for returning users, who may reserve Trackchairs for up to an hour and 30 minutes, and new users or those requesting volunteer support, who may reserve Trackchairs for up to an hour and 45 minutes.

The program will take a break during the week of July 27 and will resume on Aug. 6. Reservations for outings taking place between Thursday, Aug. 6 and Sunday, Nov. 1 will open on Friday, July 31.

Advance reservations are still required at least 48 hours in advance through an online booking system. For additional assistance, you can reach out to Trackchair Program Coordinator Danielle Garner, at dgarner@PittsburghParks.org or 412-586-4576, ext. 116.

Hailey and Doc are already planning their next Trackchair adventure, which will be followed by ice cream — a treat that tastes even sweeter in July, which is Disability Pride Month.