3 Georgia State Parks introduce colorblind-adapting glasses

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) — In Georgia, an estimated 480,250 people in Georgia are affected by colorblindness.

Among the 14.3 million annual visitors to Georgia State Parks last year, an estimated 607,000 were color blind, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said. That’s why some three Georgia Parks will now offer free colorblind-adapting glasses for those with red-green deficiencies.

The three state parks are:

• Cloudland Canyon State Park, Dade County: One of Georgia’s largest state parks, Cloudland Canyon is known for its dramatic overlooks, sandstone cliffs and waterfalls. This northwest Georgia park is a prime destination for leaf-peepers. GaStateParks.org/CloudlandCanyon
• Sweetwater Creek State Park, Douglas County: Just west of Atlanta, Sweetwater Creek offers outstanding hiking trails with fall foliage on display through mid-November. GaStateParks.org/SweetwaterCreek
• Skidaway Island State Park, Chatham County: Minutes from Savannah, Skidaway Island features beautiful low-country scenery, Spanish moss-draped live oaks and tidal marshes. GaStateParks.org/SkidawayIsland

Additionally, Amicalola Falls State Park in Dawson County has two Enchroma-adapted SeeCoast viewers installed at the base of its waterfall which is the tallest cascade in the Southeast.

You can reserve the glasses free of charge on GaStateParks.org/accessibility. 

The EnChroma glasses are part of the Georgia DNRs’ Outdoors Beyond Barriers initiative to make the parks more accessible. The glasses will allow for visitors to view landscapes in colors they wouldn’t be able to otherwise, especially during the fall seasons, DNR said.

State park rangers encourage visitors to share their reactions on social media and tag #GaStateParks.

The DNR’s Outdoor Beyond Barriers program aims to ensure that all visitors, regardless of ability, can enjoy outdoor recreation and Georgia’s natural beauty, DNR said. It includes all-terrain wheelchairs at 20 state parks, plus accessible campsites, fishing docks, kayak launches, cottages, yurts and more. Learn more at GaStateParks.org/Accessibility