Sisters Trails Alliance Advances Accessible Trails in Sisters Country
Two major milestones advance Sisters Country's Accessible Trails Project toward becoming Oregon's first fully verified accessible adventure trail system.
Sisters, Oregon - June 2, 2026
Sisters Trails Alliance (STA) is proud to announce two significant milestones for its Accessible Trails Project. STA has been named a recipient of the Visit Central Oregon (VCO) Central Oregon Future Fund — a competitive grant program that supports tourism-related projects benefiting both residents and visitors across the region. Additionally, STA has been accepted into Travel Oregon's Recreation Ready Program for the 2027–2029 cohort, with Phase 1 scheduled to begin in January. Together, these achievements represent a major step forward in STA's vision of making Sisters Country the Pacific Northwest's premier destination for verified accessible outdoor adventure.
Visit Central Oregon Future Fund Grant
Now in its fourth annual cycle, the Central Oregon Future Fund awarded a total of $300,000 to twelve regional projects selected from 26 applications requesting more than $1 million in funding. STA was one of five accessible adventure projects recognized this year — a reflection of the region's growing commitment to inclusive recreation. Visit Central Oregon selected STA's proposal for its goal to create the first fully verified accessible adventure trail system in Oregon by rating all non-motorized trails, training volunteers, and expanding adaptive recreation opportunities for people of all abilities.
“Sisters Trails Alliance believes everyone should have access to our beautiful outdoor spaces,” said Stephanie Presley, Executive Director of Sisters Trails Alliance. “We are so grateful for Visit Central Oregon’s investment in our Accessible Trails Project, which will help us to assess and modify trails and infrastructure, expanding inclusive recreation for people of all ages and ability levels.”
The Future Fund grant will support a part-time Program Manager position — a strategic hire that will help STA meet the rigorous technical requirements and shovel-ready status needed to advance through Travel Oregon’s Recreation Ready Program. This is a bridge investment: VCO’s support today positions STA to unlock a six-figure infrastructure grant through Travel Oregon tomorrow.
Travel Oregon Recreation Ready Program — 2027–2029 Cohort
STA has also been formally accepted into Travel Oregon’s competitive Recreation Ready Program for the 2027–2029 cycle, one of only eight projects selected statewide. STA’s project — titled “Expanding and Rating Accessible Trails in Sisters Country” — will enter Phase 1 of the program from January through September 2027. Projects that successfully complete Phase 1 become eligible to advance to Phase 2, which includes grants of up to $100,000 for infrastructure modifications, verified signage, and destination marketing.
The Recreation Ready Program provides technical assistance and resources to help communities develop tourism-ready outdoor recreation projects. For STA, Phase 1 will involve using georeferenced trail assessment data gathered in 2026–2027 to develop an action plan, budget, marketing strategy, and work plan — all with the support of the Travel Oregon team.
About the Accessible Trails Project
STA’s Accessible Trails Project is a multi-year initiative to evaluate 200 miles of non-motorized trails in Sisters Country for accessibility, train volunteers of all ability levels, and expand trail experiences to include adaptive recreation opportunities. This summer, STA has contracted with Empowering Access and partnered with The Onward Project to train a volunteer assessment team and complete evaluations of the Peterson Ridge trail system and City connector trails. The project is led by STA’s Accessibility Committee, chaired by Mark Thompson, with a broad coalition of community partners including Explore Sisters, the City of Sisters, Deschutes National Forest, Blazin Saddles, and The Onward Project — inventor of the AdvenChair.
The long-term vision includes a fully rated trail system, adaptive gear that can be used by residents and visitors on Sisters trails, updated trail maps and apps with high-accuracy accessibility information, and an Inclusive Outdoor Recreation Day. In 2025, Oregon became the first state to earn “Accessibility Verified” status from Wheel the World. STA’s project directly supports that statewide goal and positions Sisters Country as a model for inclusive outdoor recreation across the Pacific Northwest.
“This is one of those moments where everything starts to come together,” Presley said. “The Future Fund grant and the Recreation Ready acceptance aren’t just awards — they’re a signal to our community, to visitors, and to people of all abilities that Sisters Country is a place where you belong. We believe everyone should have access to our beautiful outdoor spaces. Forever.”
STA’s Accessible Trails Project will rate and expand access for people of all ages and ability levels.
