Some places just get it, they make their venue as accessible to everyone as much as possible. Phoenix’s Desert Botanical Garden is one such place, a city treasure that my husband Lou and I discovered by chance on a bike/scooter ride through Papago Park one December day.
On our two subsequent visits, we were not only impressed by the gardens themselves, but also by the center’s accessibility—simply top notch. Scooters and wheelchairs can be rented at the entrance. Winding, paved and hard packed trails are easy to roll through. And there are plenty of stationed guides to direct navigating the intertwined gardens and informative exhibitions. Probably for these reasons, I have never seen so many people on mobility devices in one public place enjoying themselves so whole-heartedly. Myself included.
The on-site restaurant Gertrude’s could use more room to navigate wheelchairs, etc., but the staff is accommodating and the food is good.
During holiday evenings, the gardens become festive with luminarias, color and a variety of musical venues. Just beautiful.
Tip: be sure to get your tickets well in advance for this event.
Beep, beep.
Making Accessibility Happen
Accessible travel for people with disabilities is becoming big business. Speak with your dollars, your vote, and your voice to let commerce know what’s working, and what’s not.
The above post was emailed to:
DESERT BOTANICAL GARDEN
1201 N. Galvin Parkway
Phoenix, AZ 85008
480 941.1225
contact@dbg.org