Service Animals
Service animals are allowed in national parks. For a definition of a service animal, please see the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) definition.
Facilities
Nature Center and Planetarium:
Parking: There are two accessible parking spaces immediately adjacent to the Nature Center.
Other key info: Persons with wheelchairs or with mobility considerations can use accessible outdoor ramps to reach the exhibit hall, planetarium, and auditorium levels of the Nature Center (separate entrances). Benches are located in the Nature Center.
Peirce Mill:
Parking: Accessible parking is located next to Peirce Barn and adjacent to the small orchard in the bus turn-out.
Other key info: Use the accessible walkway from the parking area to access an accessible restroom, Peirce Mill itself, and a nearby paved trail. The main door and back door of Peirce Mill are wheelchair-accessible (separate entrances). The upper floors of this historic building may only be reached by ascending steep staircases. Upon request, staff will provide descriptions of the upper levels.
Old Stone House:
Parking: There is no designated parking area for the Old Stone House. Street parking and parking garages are available nearby for a fee.
Other key info: This historic building has very limited accessibility. Wheelchair access to the the first floor is rough. Entry to the front room or park store traverses a lip greater than 1 inch with a short steep ramp. Entry from the park store into the kitchen is too narrow for many wheelchairs. The kitchen may be reached with a wheelchair from the garden. The path goes over bricks, and there is a large lip at the door kitchen door. The kitchen floor is lined with bricks which may contain gaps up to an inch wide. The upper floors of this historic building can only reached by narrow winding staircases. Upon request, staff will provide a photo tour of the upper floors. A portion of the adjacent garden can be reached by wheelchair after crossing a brick walkway and a gravel walkway.
Meridian Hill Park:
Parking: There are no handicapped parking spaces nearby. Park as close as possible to Euclid Street NW. Be aware of a very steep incline between Euclid Street NW and W Street, NW.
Other key info: The upper plaza of Meridian Hill park can be accessed from the park entrance at 15th Street NW & Euclid Street NW. An accessible restoom and water fountain is located at the "Lodge House" near the mid-point of the upper section of the park. A new accessible entrance for the lower terrace of the park is available at 16th Street NW and W Street NW.
Georgetown Waterfront Park:
Parking: There is no designated parking for Georgetown Waterfront Park. Look for paid lots or street parking nearby for a fee.
Other key info: This park is flat and has wide paved paths. Visit a fountain, a labyrinth, or gardens. Benches have large spaces next to them for people to gather to view the Potomac River.
Trails
The Edge of the Woods Trail is located next to the Nature Center. This 1/4-mile loop is paved. There are some short drop-offs greater than one inch. There are several places where tree roots have heaved the pavement greater than one inch. A guide rope lines the trail to assist sight-impaired persons. The guide rope encounters several trees and parallels some drop-offs.
Programs
Assistive listening devices are available by request for ranger-led programs with three days of advance notice. If you would like to request an American Sign Language interpreter, please notify us two weeks in advance.
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