(Michigan Department of Natural Resources photo) Visitors enjoy the trail at Hartwick Pines State Park in Grayling. Some 15 locations around the state now have track chairs available for use at no cost, with 10 additional locations soon to receive chairs, thanks to a multi-year fundraising campaign.

IRON MOUNTAIN — Track chairs are off-road electronic vehicles that allow users to explore areas of parks that traditional wheelchairs might not reach.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has surpassed a funding goal of more than $400,000 to purchase track chairs for a growing number of state parks and trails. Donors over the past five years raised $445,000 — enough for about 28 chairs.

“It was Kali’s Cure for Paralysis (Foundation) that brought this piece of equipment to our attention, and not only has it grown to be the largest program in any state — we have more track chairs than any other state –it’s attracted national attention,” said Michelle O’Kelly, DNR Parks and Recreation Division resource and fund developer.

In the eastern Upper Peninsula, a track chair is available at Tahquamenon Falls State Park and one is also planned at Fayettte Historic State Park in Delta County.

For people seeking enhanced access when exploring the outdoors, the chairs can handle trails, snow, sand and even up to 8 inches of water. Chairs are rented out on a first-come, first-served basis at no cost to people needing assistance.

Anyone wishing to contribute to the program can make a donation at the DNR state parks giving page at https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/places/state-parks/giving.

The DNR announced this week that it will close several of its shooting ranges for the winter, including the Skoglund Erickson Range on the Goose Lake Access Road in Marquette County. The closure begins at 4:45 p.m. Eastern time Sunday and is expected to be in effect until April 14.

Rain and rising temperatures have put a damper on early ice fishing.

Before the warmup, anglers who were confident of the conditions reported catching walleye after dark on shiners, said Fay Whisler at Whisler Outdoors in Florence, Wis. Perch and northern pike were also biting, she said.

The Wisconsin DNR advises that recent temperature swings will weaken ice and that no ice is ever considered “safe,” especially this early in the season.