Lakeland County Park

Description

Lakeland County Park is located at 176 Johnson Avenue, Islandia, NY.  There are 18 accessible spaces in the paved parking lot. The lot is next to the inclusive playground area (no accessible swings) and restrooms.  Restrooms are open seasonally.  They each have a large accessible stall, and accessible sink.

Wide, well-maintained boardwalks meander throughout the park. Some portions of the boardwalk have sides, some do not. The planks are even,  making it easy to navigate. There are several benches along the way.  There are also some dirt paths that are fairly flat. There are  two sensory paths.

Checklist

Attraction Type:  parks, kid-friendly
Number of accessible spaces:  18
Location of accessible spaces:  first row in parking lot
Surface of lot:  paved
Distance to venue:  close
Transportation to venue offered:  na
Terrain:  fairly flat
Places to rest:  a few places to sit on boardwalk, benches near playground area, picnic area with tables and benches
Paths and walkways:  boardwalks and flat, dirt trails
Location of accessible entrance:  na
Doors:  na
Number of floors:  na
Elevators:  na
Ramps:  several slight inclines on boardwalk
Steps and staircases:  none
Width of aisles:  boardwalk is ample, paths vary a bit in width
Places to sit:  several benches on boardwalk, benches near playground and picnic area
Location of restrooms:  free standing building next to playground
Type of restroom:  Multi-stall, with large accessible stall, and accessible sink
Ease of entry and exit:  There is a small "lip" to enter
Available food services:  none
Friendliness of staff:  no staff when we were there
Notes:  Restrooms are open "seasonally" Accessible stall only has handrail on one side
Baby changing station:  yes

Read More

According to the Suffolk County Parks website, Lakeland County Park was developed as a “fully accessible facility, designed for the disabled and their families. It includes a nature trail-boardwalk over the head-waters of the Connectquot River, with unique views of wetland vegetation, waterfowl and fish…”

When you drive into the parking lot, there are 18 accessible spaces. The parking area is next to the playground and restroom building. The inclusive playground, has  a ramp to access it. Unfortunately, there are no accessible swings. There are several picnic tables that are designed to allow a wheelchair to get close and fit under it. 

The multis-stall restrooms have a large accessible stall and accessible sink. Each restroom has  a small “lip” (1/2 step) to get inside. Take note that the restroom are open “seasonally.”

Somehow, we were unable to access the map of the park on our phones, so we decided to  “wing it” as we started down the path to go to Honeysuckle Pond. We walked along the well-maintained boardwalk. It is wide and level throughout, with a few slight inclines. Portions of the walk have handrails, some parts have only small wooden sides (several inches high).

The other problem was that, without a map, we realized that the walkway is not well marked as it could be.  Some intersections have no signs indicating which way to go. At several intersections, the signs have been painted over, and as a result are hardly noticeable. Depending on which way you go, you may wind up at an end that leads to a dirt path. As we meandered along, we found several benches, located at some of the intersections.  It is easy to navigate the entire area without ever getting off the boardwalk. Depending on which way you go, you may find yourself where the boardwalk ends and a  dirt paths begins. 

We made our way to Honeysuckle Pond, stopping along the way to take in the scenery. We were rewarded with a lovely view of the water, and several families fishing. Last time we were here there were some ducks on the water. None today! This  is a beautiful, peaceful place.  It’s too bad that there are no benches at this area. 

The signage seemed to be a bit better on our way back. Maybe it was because we remembered which way to go!

Lakeland County Park is a lovely, serene  place for all to visit. If you are like me, you would be happier to have  the park map to look follow.  It will help you “know before you go.”

AS always, we at Destination Accessible, advise you to visit a venue’s website, www.suffolkcountyny.gov, to help you “know before you go.”

Location

Nearby