Breaking Barriers Northwest

Student-led accessibility action

Making Northwest parks and recreation more accessible—one community at a time.

We assess public recreation spaces, document barriers to participation, and work constructively with parks departments and public agencies to advance practical accessibility improvements.

View active projects Explore our footprint
Illustration of students conducting an accessibility field observation beside a park trail and waterfront
Field observations and agency engagement underway across three states.
3active park assessments
8communities and regional areas under review
3Northwest states
1independent regional nonprofit

Our mission

Building a Pacific Northwest where accessibility is designed from the start.

Through field research, education, and constructive advocacy, we advance public recreation environments where people with disabilities can participate with dignity, confidence, and greater independence.

Accessibility

We advocate for physical access and programmatic access so people can participate in the experiences that matter.

Respect

We affirm the dignity, voice, and contributions of people with disabilities and the communities we serve.

Collaboration

We believe durable change happens through constructive partnership with students, families, agencies, and community groups.

Accessibility work in action

Current accessibility assessments.

We publish high-level project summaries while preliminary observations and recommendations are reviewed by the responsible parks departments and public agencies.

Agency review Oregon

Lake Oswego, Oregon

Tryon Cove Park

Agency
City of Lake Oswego
Status
Active — agency review

Reviewing whether visitors with mobility disabilities can move beyond the accessible entrance and picnic area to experience the Willamette River, sandy beach, and public dock.

Waterfront accessRoute continuityDock and beach access

Current phase: Field observations shared with city leadership; project materials remain under review.
Public memorandum coming after agency review.

Agency review Washington

Spokane, Washington

High Bridge Park

Agency
Spokane Parks and Recreation
Status
Active — agency review

Examining the gap between an accessible paved arrival on the Centennial Trail and the stair-only route to the Spokane River shoreline, fishing area, and close-range river experience.

River accessFishing opportunityAccessible overlook

Current phase: Accessibility observations and focused improvement concepts submitted for parks-agency review.
Public memorandum coming after agency review.

Agency review Idaho

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

Tubbs Hill Natural Area

Agency
City of Coeur d’Alene
Status
Active — agency review

Evaluating whether visitors who cannot use rugged natural trails have a meaningful way to experience the park’s defining lake views, overlooks, shoreline, and beach features.

Lake viewsTrail informationShoreline experience

Current phase: Preliminary observations provided to the City for consideration and response.
Public memorandum coming after agency review.

Why the full memorandums are not posted yet

Project-specific memorandums are preliminary communications. We give parks departments and public agencies a fair opportunity to review the observations, provide context, correct errors, and discuss practical next steps before publication.

Northwest project footprint

Active assessments and areas under review.

Our current project footprint includes active accessibility assessments and areas under review across the Pacific Northwest. Select a map marker or location below for current project information. Green identifies active assessments; gold identifies communities and regional areas under review.

Map showing the geographic shape and relative scale of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.
Active assessment Under review

Project and location directory

Explore projects by state and community.

This directory will expand as new park, trail, waterfront, and recreation-accessibility projects move into active assessment or review.

Washington

High Bridge Park

Spokane · Active assessment

Washington

Spokane

Additional sites under review

Washington

Seattle

Community under review

Washington

Tacoma

Community under review

Washington

Olympia

Community under review

Oregon

Tryon Cove Park

Lake Oswego · Active assessment

Oregon

Willamette Valley

Additional sites under review

Oregon

Portland

Community under review

Oregon

Eugene

Community under review

Idaho

Tubbs Hill Natural Area

Coeur d’Alene · Active assessment

Idaho

Northern Idaho

Additional sites under review

How we work

Assess. Share. Listen. Advance.

We combine student leadership with disciplined field observation, clear communication, and constructive engagement with public agencies.

01

Accessibility field observations

Students visit parks, trails, athletic facilities, and recreation spaces to document conditions that may limit participation.

02

Education and advocacy

We help communities understand how routes, surfaces, information, programs, and amenities shape a person’s ability to participate.

03

Adaptive recreation partnerships

We support accessible sports clinics, inclusive events, and partnerships with schools, parks, and adaptive recreation organizations.

04

Student leadership

Students conduct research, communicate with public leaders, and develop the judgment required to advance meaningful change.

Current work

Accessibility observations are under agency review.

Breaking Barriers Northwest is conducting field observations and sharing preliminary findings directly with parks departments and public agencies. We believe agencies should have a fair opportunity to review, respond, and discuss potential improvements before project-specific materials are published.

1

Observe
Document visitor experience and access conditions.

2

Share
Provide preliminary observations to the responsible agency.

3

Listen
Invite context, correction, and response.

4

Advance
Support practical, collaborative next steps.

Regional structure

Regional leadership. One Northwest mission.

Our regional model connects student leaders across Washington, Oregon, and Idaho with a growing portfolio of park, trail, waterfront, and recreation-accessibility projects.

Map showing Washington, Oregon, and Idaho in their geographic position and relative scale.

Western Washington

Western Washington

Regional leadership supporting work in Olympia, Tacoma, Seattle, and other Western Washington communities.

Oregon

Oregon

Regional leadership supporting active work in Lake Oswego and review activity across Portland, Eugene, and the Willamette Valley.

Eastern Washington & Idaho

Eastern Washington & Idaho

Regional leadership supporting active work in Spokane and Coeur d’Alene, with additional sites under review.

Our inspiration

A legacy of belonging, resilience, and opportunity.

Breaking Barriers Northwest is inspired in part by the life and leadership of Margaret Hellberg (1944–2022), a Washington educator and school administrator who grew up in Richland and lived much of her life in Olympia.

Margaret believed that every student deserved to be seen, supported, and included. Her example—meeting people with empathy, adapting when systems fell short, and creating opportunities for those at risk of exclusion—continues to shape our commitment to dignity, access, and participation.

The organization remains focused on current student-led action across Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.

Leadership

Student leaders advancing accessibility.

Founder & President

Patrick Hellberg

Western Washington

Sets strategic priorities, coordinates programs, and leads external engagement for the Western Washington region.

Vice President

Jack Lindsey

Oregon

Leads the Oregon region and supports local partnerships, fieldwork, and student involvement.

Vice President

Matthew Hellberg

Eastern Washington & Idaho

Leads the Eastern Washington and Idaho region and helps coordinate regional projects and outreach.

Get involved

Join the work to expand participation.

Breaking Barriers Northwest welcomes high school and college students throughout Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. No prior advocacy or accessibility experience is required.

We also welcome partnership inquiries from schools, parks departments, adaptive recreation organizations, families, and community groups.