Nora Ellen Groce - Accessible Connecticut. A Guide to Recreation for Children with Disabilities and Their Families

We would greatly appreciate any corrections, additions, or suggestions for places and events not included in this book.

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27 North Road, Cromwell

Directions: From Route 9 North, take Exit 19. At the end of the ramp, turn left on to Route 372 West (toward the shopping center) and continue straight about 1 mile. Immediately before Webster Bank, turn right onto Coles Road. Turn left onto North Road Extension. The house is on the left (look for the sign).

From Route 9 South, take Exit 19. Turn right at the end of the ramp onto Route 372 East, and then follow the directions above.

Phone: 860-635-3924

Internet: www.freeyellow.com/members2/aujzoological

Hours: May 1 through Labor Day, Monday through Saturday, 11:00 a.m.5:00 p.m. Labor Day through October 31, Saturday and Sunday, 11:00 a.m.4:00 p.m. Closed November through March.

Admission: Adults and children 1 and up, $3.00. Children under 1, free. Pony rides, $2.00.

Description: In the backyard of her small house on a quiet country road, Amy OToole has set up a wonderful small facility with dozens of different animals. Llamas, fallow deer, wallabies, Tennessee fainting goats, prairie dogs, hedgehogs, and many more animals contentedly share this small facility. This is an accredited zoological nature center. Amy OToole is also a wildlife rehabilitator, and many of the native animals in this facility are being nursed back to health before they can be returned to the wild.

Because there are only one or two of most of the different animals, rather than whole herds as larger facilities would have, this is a particularly good place to take young children. They can come right up to a cage and watch an animal at close range. Some animalsincluding what seems to be a very good-natured llamacan be petted. Baby rabbits and kittens can be picked up and held. Signs allow self-guided tours. A vending machine provides a handful of food, which the goats will avidly eatso get some quarters at the admission booth. There are brief pony rides for small children.

Wheelchair users: Although this is a small facility, it is fully accessible. Park in the relatively flat dirt lot immediately next to the entrance; the backyard itself is flat. Paths are covered with woodchips that appear to present no problems except to individuals whose chairs have very small wheels (the chips can get caught) or for individuals who are very heavy (the wheels tend to sink in). The bathroom is accessible, as is the small picnic area. The director reports that chair users regularly visit the park.

Children with visual impairments: A number of animals herea llama, goats, miniature ponies, and so oncan be petted, and a small touch table allows children hands-on experience with bones, feathers, and shells. Although some animals cannot be touched (the alligator and the tarantula), many animals can be rewardingly experienced.

Other: Being able to see and interact with a variety of animals at close range in a homey setting will make this a pleasant outing for many children (and adults). Visitors can stay as long as they wish. Although some may hurry through in 20 minutes, many will want to stay for much longer to enjoy watching and interacting with the animals. The place is staffed by young volunteers who are helpful and happy to answer questions.

General: All funds from the admission fees, goat food, and pony rides go to the animals food and care. This is a nonprofit enterprise run by volunteers who love animalsso it is not only a nice outing but a good cause.

Noble Avenue (Beardsley Park), Bridgeport

Directions: From I-95 North or South, take Exit 27A onto Route 25. Proceed to Exit 5 (Boston Avenue). Turn left at the end of the exit ramp and go up 4 stoplights, turning left on Noble Avenue. The Beardsley Park entrance is on the left.

From the Merritt Parkway Northbound, take Exit 49 South to Route 25 to Exit 5. Coming off Exit 5, turn right and go up 5 stoplights, turning left onto Noble Avenue.

From the Merritt Parkway Southbound, take Exit 52 and turn left onto Route 8. Take Exit 5 off Route 8, turning right at the end of the ramp (Boston Avenue) and go down 5 stoplights, turning left onto Noble Avenue.

Phone: 203-394-6565

Internet: www.beardsleyzoo.com

Hours: Daily, 9:00 A.M-. 4.00 P.M. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Years Day.

Admission: Adults, $5.00. Senior citizens, disabled citizens, and children 3-11, $3.00. Children under 3, free. Parking with Connecticut plates, $3.00, with out-of-state plates, $5.00.

Description: The largest zoo in the state, the Beardsley Zoo features animals native to North and South America, as well as some animals from beyond the Americas. Pony rides are available seasonally. There is a childrens area with a New England farm setting.

Special events: The zoo offers a wide variety of special events and educational programs. Call or check the Web site for details.

Wheelchair users: The on-site parking lot has handicapped spaces. Visitors using wheelchairs can enter through the front gate. Almost all the zoo is accessible, and most walkways are flat and paved. (The only possible exception is the gravel path to the wolf exhibit, which may be hard to negotiate in some chairs.) There are several small hills on the zoo grounds, but they should present no problem to families who come with a chair user.

Children with visual impairments: The childrens farm area may be of particular interest to the child with a visual impairment. A volunteer is usually in the farm area with a featured animal that children can touch. If the family of a child with a visual impairment calls the zoo office (203-394-6563) in advance, zoo personnel are happy to try to arrange for more contact with some of their animals. Many of the enclosures feature audio boxes, where all visitors can listen to information about the animals.

Children with hearing impairments: Although there are a number of wonderful programs and workshops at the zoo for children, no sign language interpreters are currently available for individuals. If you are planning to bring a group of people who Sign, contact the zoos education department. They take pride in having translators for foreign-language groups and are willing to have an interpreter as part of this program.

General: Almost all children young and old will enjoy this go at your own pace medium-sized zoo.

34 Belden Road, Burlington

Directions: From I-84 East or West, take Exit 39 to Route 4 heading toward Farmington. At the junction of Routes 4 and 179, turn left and continue on Route 4 up the big hill. The third street on the left is Belden Road. The hatchery is on the left (look for the sign).