Physical / Mobility Accessibility

Need A Little Help?

Two wheelchairs are available at the Stone Cottage Visitor Center for visitors to borrow, free of charge. No advance reservations are necessary; just stop by the Stone Cottage and inquire at the desk.

A seasonal tram is usually available May through October to shuttle visitors from the main parking lot to the historic core. Our Shuttles are equipped with a wheelchair lift and can accommodate one wheelchair.

Motorized electric scooters used as mobility devices are welcome on the property, but are not permitted inside the buildings at Val-Kill. Please contact us about the use of other mobility devices at the park.

 

The National Park Service welcomes people with disabilities. However, the historic buildings and grounds at Val-Kill do not meet Federal accessibility standards. Check out our park map to better understand the relation between the parts of the park. The following information is provided to describe accessible features and help you determine existing conditions.

The assessment ratings below include descriptions that include a graduated range accessibility for all outdoor areas and buildings at Eleanor Rososevelt Historic Site. A graduated scale of access ratings—Good, Adequate and Limited, is utilized to inform individuals with disabilities about barrier assessment information when visiting the park. Each of the assessments below provide information about specific facilities, programs and services which may help you better plan your visit. If a particular service or issue is not addressed, please contact the park.

 

Access Ratings Explained

This page provides ratings for accessibility for outdoor areas and buildings at Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site. A graduated scale of access ratings—Good, Adequate and Limited—is utilized to inform individuals with disabilities about barrier assessment information when visiting the Park. The access ratings incorporate the following scale:

GOOD—Outdoor pathways, grounds, building entrances, and interiors are largely accessible to persons with mobility, visual and Deaf and Hard of Hearing disabilities.

ADEQUATE—Outdoor pathways, grounds, building entrances, and interiors are not accessible due to minor barriers. For example, pathway surface material may be in disrepair, or building interiors may lack adequate accommodations for persons who are Deaf.

LIMITED—Outdoor pathways, grounds, building entrances, and interiors are inaccessible due to significant barriers.

 

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Parking

Access Rating: LIMITED

The main parking lot is 800 feet from the historic core of the park and is located on the upper right section of the entrance drive into the park. The entire parking area surface is paved asphalt. The main parking area does not include ADA compliant parking spaces.

Two Accessible parking spaces are located at the end of the main park roadway by crossing over the wooden bridge and are adjacent to the Stable/Garage. The parking spaces have no access aisles; surface material is hardpacked stone dust.

The accessible parking spaces are 280 feet from the historic core and provide an adequate accessible route to the historic buildings through the cutting garden.

 

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Path of Travel

Access Rating: LIMITED

The accessible route to the historic core and Stone Cottage from the accessible parking area is a circuitous route which passes through the cutting garden and along the flagstone pathway to Stone Cottage. The pathway has limited signage to direct individuals with disabilities to the Cottage and other sections of the park.

The first part of the route from the parking area courses through the cutting garden, which may be challenging to individuals with mobility and visual disabilities due to the dense aggregate surface material and a smattering of larger gravel in certain sections. Pathway dips in section outside Playhouse, which may be difficult to navigate. Stone dust pathway leads to a flagstone path which leads to Stone Cottage. There is a significant rise in one section, with 1 – 2 inch gaps in numerous sections, which create an unsafe and unstable surface for individuals with mobility and visual disabilities.

 

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Public Restrooms

Access Rating: AQEQUATE

Entrance

Separate entrance doors to the restroom building lead directly into both the woman’s and men’s restrooms. The entrance door hardware is not ADA compliant and may be difficult to operate for individuals with mobility disabilities with limited hand dexterity.

Interior space

Restrooms contain three toilet stalls, including one fully ADA compliant stall.

 

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Stone Cottage Visitor Center & Exhibits

Access Rating: LIMITED

Entrance

Primary entrance to Cottage and visitor services foyer provides good access. Entrance to courtyard patio from interior cottage provides limited access with a greater than 1 inch threshold lip on both sides of entrance; step onto brick pavement below is uneven and in need of repair. Stepped entrance to upper loggia is inaccessible to individuals with mobility disabilities.

Loggia/Courtyard of Stone Cottage

Grassy area surrounding the loggia provides limited access for individuals with mobility disabilities.

Interior space

Interior rooms and entranceways may limit independent maneuverability for visitors with visual and mobility disabilities due to protruding exhibition tables, furniture and interior architectural barriers. Exhibition Room is inaccessible to individuals with mobility disabilities; 2 steps down to enter. Living Room is fully accessible from interior of Stone Cottage; however, outer entrance door is narrow and stepped and is inaccessible to individuals with mobility disabilities. Porch area from Living Room interior is stepped and inaccessible to visitors with mobility disabilities.

Rest Rooms

There are no rest rooms inside Stone Cottage. Rest rooms are in a separate building located between the Playhouse and Val-Kill Cottage.

 

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Val-Kill Cottage

Access Rating: LIMITED

Tour Introduction

Park rangers present an overview and history of Val-Kill Cottage to visitors prior to self-guided tours. These presentations are conducted on the lawn outside the porch entrance to the Cottage.

Cottage Entrance

Visitors access the entrance to the Cottage via a screened porch. There is a 1” threshold rise from the porch to the interior of the cottage. Park rangers are present throughout the tour to provide assistance to visitors with disabilities.

Cottage Interior

Interior rooms and entranceways may limit independent maneuverability for visitors with visual and mobility disabilities due to protruding furniture and interior architectural barriers. The hallways are narrow and can be congested during tours, which may present a challenge for visitors with assistive mobility devices. Visitors exit the tour via the Living Room porch with two steps down to the rear of the cottage. Visitors with mobility disabilities who are unable to leave the tour via the Living Room porch must backtrack to the tour entrance porch to exit.

Rest Rooms

There are no rest rooms inside Val-Kill Cottage. Rest rooms are in a separate building located between the Playhouse and Val-Kill Cottage.

 

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Playhouse (Orientation Film)

Access Rating: ADEQUATE

Entrance

Entrance doors are accessible and lead directly into the foyer. Threshold approach is slightly pitched and could be difficult to navigate for individuals with mobility disabilities.

Interior space

Foyer leads to the main room with portable chairs for film viewing; chairs can be moved to create space for visitors using wheelchairs. The small dimensions of the main room may present maneuverability challenges for visitors with visual and mobility disabilities.

 

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Cutting Garden

Access Rating: GOOD

Entrance

Garden entrance opens from accessible route from parking area and leads to interior garden pathways.

Interior Pathways

Level circular pathways surround raised garden beds. Circular pathways are comprised of fine textured stone dust surface material; stone dust may be a bit dense in certain areas. Garden beds are encased in 3 inch edge protectors; edging also surrounds outer perimeter of garden area.