Accessible Niagara

By George Bailey

“Fantastic” is how 17 year old Darren Rhodes of Niagara Falls describes the trip he and his companion, Pamela Fowler, of Woodstock, Ontario, took recently abroad the fully-accessible Maid of the Mist at Niagara Falls.

Darren says he appreciated the barrier-free access to the ticket booth, and being able to board the Maid of the Mist boat unassisted was great. The Maid of the Mist even provides a special poncho for wheelchair users. “It’s a trip,” he says, "that I won’t forget for a long time.”

For people with disabilities, getting around Niagara Falls and visiting some of the attractions found within Ontario’s Niagara Parks is easier than ever.

Jim Harris, Director of Planning and Development for the Niagara Parks Commission, says “Many exciting new projects are now coming to fruition within the Park system, and we haven’t forgotten the person who uses a wheelchair.” Harris says one of the biggest projects has been the development of the $13 million “Maid of the Mist Plaza”. The new complex consists of a gift shop and restaurant as well as housing the entrance to the word famous Maid of the Mist boat trip. The complex is designed for the convenience of wheelchair users as well as those who walk with crutches or leg braces or use a mobility aid. All areas are ramped and barrier free. In the past, people with disabilities wishing to board the Maid of the Mist had to be taken by a vehicle down a long winding road and lifted on to the boat. Elevators accommodating 2,000 people an hour take them to the tunnel where one can gradually wheel oneself aboard for a trip of a lifetime. All washrooms in the area are barrier free.

Harris says that “plenty of parking spaces” have been provided for people with disabilities throughout the park. Although there will be a fee for parking, preferential spaces in all major lots have been designated. All new road construction provides for “drop curbs” within the park.

Just 500 metres (1/4 mile) south of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls is the “Niagara Parks Greenhouse”. Open year round, this attraction has been designed for wheelchair users.

Access to all three areas of this lovely floral exhibit, including washrooms, is barrier free. A new live hummingbird display is also featured.

Outside this lovely free attraction is the “Niagara Parks Fragrance Garden” for the visually impaired and blind. This garden was built in 1985 and contains approximately 100 different species of plants. Many of the plants are known for their texture – Fruit Sage, Thyme, Rosemary, Sweet Marjoram and Basil; fragrance – Common Helio-trope, Littleleaf Linden, roses, Marigolds, flowering Tobacco and Petunias; taste – Sweet Basil, Chives and Parsley: and aromatic foliage – Mint, Basil and Tansy.

Many of these plants are situated at comfortable heights for touching and smelling. Braille labels containing both common and botanical names identify about 20 plants.

Access to the Fragrance Garden is along a flat hard-surfaced walkway from the north side of the Greenhouse. Parking for those with special needs is in the main Greenhouse Parking Lot.

One of the most popular new Park attractions is the Niagara River Recreation Trail which runs parallel to the Niagara River and is approximately 56 km (35 miles) long. It travels from John Street in Niagara-on-the-Lake to Anger Avenue in Fort Erie. Except for the area around the Falls and Queenston, the trail is independent of the Niagara Parkway. Along this route, 10 bridges cross over various creeks. All bridges are gradually sloped to allow wheelchair users access. The entire trail cost just over 3 million dollars to complete and was built at no expense to the taxpayer, from profits of the Niagara Parks Commission.

The Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens is located 8 km (5 miles) north along the Niagara Parks School of Horticulture. This 40 hectare (100acres) garden is particularly colorful in spring when the Magnolia, Japanese Cherry, Forsythia and Lilacs are in bloom. Parking is free and convenient for this magnificent free horticultural feature, which remains open dawn to dusk.

The Niagara Parks Commission is an agency of the Ontario government and has been in operation since 1885. It is a self-funded body that derives money from the operation of gift shops, attractions, and restaurants. Those wanting additional information on The Niagara Parks Commission can contact: Public Relations Dept. The Niagara Parks Commission, Box 150. Niagara Falls, Ontario Canada L2E 6T2. Tel: (416) 356-2241. Fax: (416) 354-6041.