Accessibility
at the Preserve
The mission of the Preserve is to conserve and share the beauty of our historic lands and gardens. How best to share our spaces is something we think about a lot. We want to make our landscapes as welcoming and accessible as possible for all people, including those with disabilities. Our first step is to communicate on this page what to expect when you visit. We welcome your feedback.
The landscapes of the Preserve were built between 1926 and 1959 nestled in landscapes with a variety of elevations. Their designs incorporate granite stones as steps and a variety of path surfaces. To help you plan your visit to these unique spaces scroll down for information about accessibility at the Preserve.
Accessibility at our gardens
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Accessible parking is available at each of our three gardens.
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Accessible restrooms are available at each of our gardens.
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The Meeting House is accessible to wheelchairs.
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There are a variety of places to sit within each garden.
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Greeters are at the entrances to each garden during most open hours and can provide information about accessibility.
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There are sections of each garden that are free of steps. Below are links to garden maps that indicate accessible pathways. Path surfaces can vary from flagging stones (sometimes uneven), crushed compacted stone, loose stone on compacted gravel, grass, and compacted gravel.
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Thuya Lodge, Asticou Terraces, and the Thuya boat landing are not wheelchair accessible. All three have stairs. The terraces and boat landing have steep grades.
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Services animals as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act are permitted in the gardens and must be leashed.
Accessibility on our natural lands
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Carriage roads around Little Long Pond have even surfaces and some increases in elevation. Surface is predominantly a hard-packed crushed stone. Roads from the upper parking lot and on the loop to the Boathouse are grass. See Trail Map for carriage road locations and distances.
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There are four areas to sit around Little Long Pond. Link to map above.
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None of the hiking trails at the Preserve are wheelchair accessible.
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There are no public restrooms on the natural lands at Little Long Pond, Harbor Brook, or Hunters Cliffs.
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There is no designated accessible parking at any of the natural lands parking areas. If you can plan your visit in advance, contact Tate Bushell, Director of Natural Lands to arrange parking. Reach him at tbushell@gardenpreserve.org or 207-276-5955.
If you have any questions about accessibility at the Preserve. Please email info@gardenpreserve.org or call 207-276-3727.
