Accessible Locations
Asheboro
North Carolina Zoo
4401 Zoo Parkway, Asheboro, NC 27205
(800) 488-0444
Website: www.nczoo.org
The North Carolina Zoo has five miles of tree-lined trails which immerse visitors in a beautiful, diverse and sometimes challenging terrain. The Zoo is best experienced by using the trails; however, a Zoo-wide transportation system is available to help visitors navigate to three strategic locations inside the Park. The Zoo also offers several accessible attractions within the park.
Parking and Entrance
Both entrances are on a level walking surface and have accessible drop-off points for visitors who are mobility-impaired. Accessible parking spaces are available at both entrances with a valid license plate or hangtag.
Service Animals
Guests with disabilities are welcome to bring their trained service animals inside the Zoo. Please check in with a Guest Services Representative when you arrive at Admissions for more information about your visit. If you have questions about bringing your service animal into the Zoo, please contact them before visiting.
Personal Mobility Devices
Personal mobility devices are permitted inside the Zoo, but must be manually or electrically powered and operated at a walking pace, no more than 6 MPH. Devices must be single-rider and not exceed 36 inches (92cm) in width and 52 inches (132cm) in length. Personal mobility devices with less than three wheels will not be permitted.
Wheelchair and ECV Rentals
A limited number of manual wheelchairs and ECVs (Electric Conveyance Vehicles) are available for rent at the Gift Shops at both Park entrances. These are available on a first-come first served basis and we do not take reservations so we suggest arriving early if you will need to rent one or bring your own.
In Park Transportation
All of our buses and trams that provide in-park and parking lot transportation are wheelchair accessible.
Medical and Dietary Needs
Small coolers with food or beverages used for medical purposes or required due to special dietary needs can be checked at either entrance, tagged, and brought inside the Zoo. Park rangers patrol the Zoo and can help with medical emergencies.
Changing Areas
Guests in need of a private changing area for larger children or adults can be accommodated at our Guest Services offices located at the North America and Africa entrances.
Attractions
The Endangered Species Carousel at Junction Plaza includes a swan bench that accommodates wheelchairs. The Acacia Station Giraffe Deck is also wheelchair accessible.
Burlington
Burlington City Park
S. Church St. and Main St., Burlington, NC 27215
(336) 222-5030
Website: www.ci.burlington.nc.us/City-Park
Burlington’s City Park offers amusement for all with a carousel, miniature train, planes, cars, and boat ride. For parents or guardians who are physically able to transfer their child from a wheelchair to ride seating, the mini-train and Dentzel Carousel offer a bench seat and a larger pad to accommodate the transition. View the website for hours and ride-specific requirements.
The City Park Playground is open year-round and offers hands-on interactive play equipment and accessible swings. There are asphalt trails for easy access throughout the park.
Special Populations Programs
1333 Overbrook Road, Burlington, NC 27215
(336) 222-5030
Website: www.ci.burlington.nc.us/Special-Populations-Programs
Burlington provides a variety of programs and structured activities, such as dance and bingo, designed for children of all ages with developmental or physical disabilities are offered. Most activities provided are free but some do have a paid component.
Burlington also has an entire resources section of their website devoted to programs for individuals with disabilities
Clemmons
Tanglewood Park
4201 Manor House Circle, Clemmons, NC 27012
(336) 703-6400
Website: http://www.forsyth.cc/parks/tanglewood/
The park offers a beautiful recreational area with paved trails for easy access. Tanglewood Park homes accessible gardens, woods, playground, and picnic areas. The playground at Shelter #4 is equipped with a wheelchair access point so that children may transition onto the play structure, although the playground has few accessible features on the playground itself.
Greensboro
Greensboro Science Center
4301 Lawndale Drive, Greensboro
(336) 288-3769
Website: greensboroscience.org
The Greensboro Science Center’s Science for All initiative is dedicated to developing inclusive GSC experiences for all guests. The Greensboro Science Center welcomes all ADA service animals or those in a recognized training program. There are currently no access limitations for guests with service animals, but this is subject to change pending any potential animal concerns. The Greensboro Science Center offers after-hours events designed specifically for guests with sensory-related challenges, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, and their families. 2019 Sensory Friendly Nights will take place from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on February 19, May 14, October 15, and November 19. View the Sensory Friendly Night Map.
Parking
Parking is available for free on a first-come, first-first served basis. Eleven (11) parking spaces are reserved for vehicles displaying handicap placards.
Wheelchairs
A limited number of wheelchairs are available to guests for use on a first-come, first-served basis. A photo ID is required for wheelchair check-out.
Restrooms
Each of our restrooms is outfitted with a wheelchair-accessible stall.
Hagen Stone Park
Bradley’s Fun For All Playground
5920 Hagen-Stone Park Road, Pleasant Garden, NC 27313
(336) 641-2090
Website: www.guilfordcountync.gov/our-county/parks/hagan-stone-park
Bradley’s Fun For All Playground is a completely accessible playground with more than 20 play stations, a handicapped-accessible restroom facility, a picnic shelter with accessible tables, a walking path, and benches. The playground’s surface is made of rubber so kids in wheelchairs can easily access each station. Four different kinds of swings are available for children of all ages and abilities. The highlight is a massive climbing structure that is handicapped-accessible. The playground also offers a picnic shelter and wheelchair-accessible restrooms.
Inclusive Recreation
Greensboro Parks and Recreation
(336) 373-2626
Website: www.greensboro-nc.gov/adaptive-inclusive-recreation
Accessibility services are available for children with varying degrees of ability. Children have access to camps, sports, and programs, all of which include reasonable accommodations and modified activities. View the website above for a list of resources, camps, activities, and year-round programs for individuals of all ages and abilities.
Keeley Park
Up in the AIR (Adaptive & Inclusive Recreation) Playground
4100 Keeley Rd, McLeansville, NC 27301
(336) 373-4547
Website: www.greensboro-nc.gov/parks-gardens/keeley-park
The Up In The Air PLayground at Keeley Park is the city’s first fully accessible playground and the largest inclusive playground west of Raleigh. The park installed many elements, such as the merry-go-all, a tower accessible to those in mobility devices, and sensory panels like the hypnetic spinner. Keeley Park is a National Demonstration Site for Inclusion.
This playground features many play elements to address the needs of every child in the community:
- Six slides
- Five spinning elements
- Three zip lines, including accessible seats
- Cargo nets and hillside climbers
- Swings for children of all abilities, including GameTime’s ExpressionSwing
- Multiple climbing areas, including climbers with interactive sensory play elements
High Point
High Point Athletic Complex
2920 School Park Rd., High Point, NC 27265
(336) 883-3469
Website: https://www.highpointnc.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/High-Point-Athletic-Complex-9
This completely accessible playground equipment includes a wheelchair swing, rubberized ground surface, and picnic shelters.
Kernersville
Fourth of July Park & Playground
702 W Mountain St, Kernersville, NC 27284
(336) 996-3062
Website: kvparks.com/parks/fourth-of-july-park
The inclusive playset has ramps that will allow kids in wheelchairs to get to the second and third levels. Swings are in place that will allow parent and child to swing together. Kids with disabilities will have a sense of freedom. So the new playground is named Freedom Playground. Play rubber replaces mulch that is normally placed around playsets. Children with attention deficit disorder can play with bongo drums or xylophones that are positioned along the walking paths. Plus there are a new pathway people in wheelchairs can use. So folks will have an easier time getting to picnic shelters.
Mocksville
Farmington Friends Special Needs Program
1723 Farmington Road, Mocksville, NC 27028
(336) 998-2912
Website: farmingtoncc.org
Interactive programs, such as movie socials and art activities, are available for children who have physical or neurological disabilities. Parents are encouraged to attend with their children to connect with other parents. Programs are held on the fourth Saturday of every month from 5-7 p.m.
Walnut Cove
Germantown Park
NC Hwy. 65, Walnut Cove, NC 27019
(336) 413-5321
Website: www.facebook.com/GermantonPark
This park includes wheelchair-accessible swings and playground equipment suitable for children with varying degrees of abilities along with wide and paved walking paths and trails.
Winston-Salem
The Children’s Center for the Physically Disabled
Boundless™ Playground
2315 Coliseum Drive Winston-Salem NC 27106
(336) 727-2440
Website: www.thecfec.org/childrens-center
The Boundless™ Playground is an accessible playground outside The Children’s Center for the Physically Disabled with multiple stations for schoolchildren at the Center to interact and play on.
Kaleideum Downtown
390 S Liberty St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
(336) 723-9111
Website: downtown.kaleideum.org
Sensory Friendly Mondays at Kaleideum Downtown are a time for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and sensory processing differences to have an enjoyable and interactive learning experience in a comfortable and accepting environment! At the Museum, learning can be verbal or non-verbal; hands-on or hands-off; fast or slow; social or solitary; loud or quiet; directed or inquiry-based. Sensory Friendly Mondays are offered one day per month, September through May, on Members-only Mondays (9 am-Noon) when museum attendance is light. You do not need to be a member in order to attend, but admission or membership is required.
Sensory Friendly Nights are offered throughout the year. Admission is $3/person (+ tax) for members and non-members. Kaleideum Downtown has a large, private family restroom on each floor for your comfort and convenience. Sensory Friendly programming modifications at Kaleideum Downtown include choice boards and a designated quiet room. Sensory Friendly backpacks are also available to borrow for free to help aid the museum experience.
Kaleideum North
400 W Hanes Mill Rd, Winston-Salem, NC 27105
(336) 767-6730
Website: http://north.kaleideum.org/
This interactive children’s science museum is ADA accessible and offers sensory-friendly exhibits for all cognitive and physical ability levels. The facility has elevators and wide hallways along with multiple activities and exhibits for children of all abilities.
Accessible Resources
Backyartisan
Website: https://backyartisan.com/playset-accessibility/
Backyartisan just published a big guide for parents and local community leaders on playground accessibility and inclusiveness. The guide covers everything that parents and local community planners need to know about how to make their local playgrounds and backyard playsets fully accessible.
