Address
990 Washington Ave., Brooklyn, Ny 11225
Phone Number
(718) 623 - 7200
Date Visited
01/23/2015
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 (now closed) and Garden Shop are all accessible by wheelchair. The Conservatory is also accessible. The lower level can be reached by elevator." (website)
Multi-stall, handicapped accessible restrooms are located in the Visitor Center and lower level of the Conservatory. All restrooms have baby-changing stations.
- Surface of lot: paved
Distance to venue: close to Washington Ave. entrance
Terrain: varies
Places to rest: benches throughout the Garden
Paths and walkways: many paved, some not paved
Doors: na
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, handicapped accessible with baby-changing station
Ease of entry and exit: OK
Baby changing station: yes
Available food services: cafe is presently closed
Friendliness of staff: helpful
Since it was a relatively nice day for January, upon our return visit to the Brooklyn Museum, we decided to walk next door to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. We really did not know how close it was; it shares a parking lot with the Museum! The trees were bare, but admission was free so we were happy to walk in the sun and enjoy the landscape of the garden. This must be a truly beautiful place when in bloom.
“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 Garden. The Visitor Center, Terrace Cafe (closed because a new one is being constructed) and Garden Shop are all handicapped accessible.
We got a map and continued our journey to the end of the path, the Conservatory and Bonsai Museum our destination. Being in the Conservatory is like being in a tropical land. This was probably more noticeable to us because of how cold it was outside. 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 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, handicapped 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 must be lovely to just “”sit and smell the flowers”” here in warm weather.
The large, lovely gift shop sells plant items as well as goods produced locally in Brooklyn.
We plan to visit in spring to see the Japanese Garden with the cherry trees in bloom.
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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