WALPOLE, N.H. – Distant Hill Gardens & Nature Trail is proud to announce that it has been awarded a Quality of Life Grant of $24,999 from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation National Paralysis Resource Center (NPRC) to support its new trail accessibility initiative. Distant Hill is one of 56 organizations awarded Direct Effect Quality of Life Grants in 2025, totaling $1,141,186.
Distant Hill is deeply honored to receive this generous grant from the Reeve Foundation. This support will enable the organization to purchase a TerrainHopper all-terrain mobility vehicle, increasing accessibility across its entire trail network.
“Over the past 13 years,” noted Michael Nerrie, the founder, builder, and steward of Distant Hill, “we have carefully designed and built more than two miles of wheelchair-accessible trails, in addition to miles of nonaccessible hiking trails. However, due to the terrain, some areas of the 155-acre property cannot support traditional accessible trail construction. Until now, those areas have remained inaccessible to many visitors. But thanks to the Reeve Foundation Quality of Life grant, the TerrainHopper mobility vehicle changes that. It removes the last barrier to accessibility, opening all of our trails – not just designated accessible routes – to wheelchair users and others with mobility challenges.”
With this grant, Distant Hill is making a big step toward fulfilling its mission to make nature and outdoor spaces accessible to everyone in the community so that all can experience the beauty, health benefits, and deep connection that come from exploring the natural world.
“Quality of Life Grants represent more than just funding—they represent freedom, possibility, and dignity for individuals living with paralysis,” says Dan McNeal, director of Quality of Life Grants.
The Quality of Life Grants Program supports nonprofit organizations that serve individuals living with paralysis. Since the program’s inception, it has awarded more than 4,100 grants totaling $50 million. Funding for this program is made possible through a cooperative agreement with the Administration for Community Living.
The Reeve Foundation’s National Paralysis Resource Center offers several grants through its Quality of Life program, with awards available in multiple categories and at varying funding levels. The Priority Impact Grants program supports organizations that implement a wide range of projects and activities that benefit individuals living with paralysis and their families.
The TerrainHopper mobility vehicle is part of an effort in Monadnock Outdoors for the gear library expansion initiative supported alongside the Cheshire County Conservation District. Monadnock Outdoors is a partnership of community leaders dedicated to building a healthier, more connected community where individuals thrive by engaging with nature and maintaining an active lifestyle. Our goal is to promote physical activity, active transportation, and a love for the outdoors, to contribute to the overall wellbeing and vitality of the Monadnock region. Learn more about the gear library and how gear, similar to the addition of the new TerrainHopper, helps our community access the outdoors.
This initiative is made possible through community support and the Healthy Monadnock Alliance.