Address
990 Washington Ave., Brooklyn, Ny 11225
Phone Number
(718) 623 - 7200
Date Visited
4-15-23
Website
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Description
The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is located at 990 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. The front section of the paved parking lot, dedicated to mobility challenged visitors, is close to the Washington Avenue entrance.All public entrances are wheelchair accessible when the Garden is open. After hours, persons in wheelchairs should exit through the Administration Building at 1000 Washington Avenue.
"BBG's grounds are accessible by paved pathways throughout the Garden. Garden areas can be reached in a variety of ways, including stair-free options for most specialty gardens. However, due to the historic nature of the Garden, certain paths may be narrow, rough, uneven or steep." (website) The Garden has many clear signs posted to help visitors get around. There are benches throughout the gardens.
"The Visitor Center, Terrace Cafe, and Garden Shop are all accessible by wheelchair. The Conservatory is also accessible. The lower level can be reached by elevator." (website)
Multi-stall restrooms with accessible stalls and sinks are located in the Visitor Center and lower level of the Conservatory. All restrooms have baby-changing stations.
- Attraction Type: park
Number of accessible spaces: *
Location of accessible spaces: near entrance to parking lot
Surface of lot: paved
Distance to venue: close to Washington Ave. entrance
Transportation to venue offered: na
Terrain: varies
Places to rest: benches throughout the Garden
Paths and walkways: many paved, some not paved
Location of accessible entrance: main entrance
Doors: no doors
Elevators: in Conservatory
Steps and staircases: in Conservatory
Width of aisles: ample
Places to sit: benches througout Garden
Location of restrooms: in Visitor Center and Conservatory
Type of restroom: multi-stall, with large accessible stall and baby-changing station
Ease of entry and exit: OK
Baby changing station: yes
Available food services: Terrace Cafe
Friendliness of staff: helpful
Notes: * There is a large section of the parking lot, near the Washington Avenue entrance, that is dedicated to cars with accessible placards.
We missed seeing the cherry blossoms in Washington DC, so we decided to catch them at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. The Garden has an interactive link on its website showing which varieties are in bloom and where they are. It was great to be able to see that in real time.
“Welcome to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Founded in 1920, this vital urban sanctuary features more than 12,000 species and cultivars of plants from around the world. Pleasure awaits you year-round, with a bounty of seasonal highlights in the many gardens within the Garden.” (brochure)
We found our way to the Visitor Center with the help of the excellent signs posted throughout. The Visitor Center, Terrace Cafe and Garden Shop are all easily accessible.
We picked up a map and looked to see where we wanted to go. Besides the cherry blossoms we we interested in the fabulous Bonsai Garden and the Conservatory. We were able to find exactly where the cherry blossoms were. Being in the Conservatory is like being in a tropical land. The two story Conservatory is full of lush greenery. The lower level, with the Desert Pavilion, Tropical Pavilion and Warm Temperate Pavilion can be reached by elevator. The Bonsai Museum is entered through a door in the Conservatory.
The Cherry Blossoms were spectacular, as is everything in the garden.
The Garden is committed to making a visit here easy and pleasurable for everyone. There are paved paths with clear signs directing wheelchairs and strollers how to stay on paved paths and avoid steps to the building entrances. Multi-stall, accessible restrooms with baby-changing stations are located in the Visitor Center and the lower level of the Conservatory. There are benches throughout all of the gardens. Some of them offer extraordinary views. The plants in the fragrance garden are elevated so that wheelchair users can touch. It is lovely to just sit and smell the flowers.
The large, lovely gift shop sells plant items as well as goods produced locally in Brooklyn. Of course, we couldn’t resist taking something home!
No matter what season you visit, you will find something spectacular to see at the Garden!
As always, we at Destination Accessible advise you to check a venue ‘s website, www.bbg.org, when planning a visit, to “know before you go.”
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