Strollers and Wheelchairs Welcome

Amber’s husband and daughter playing at Shane’s Inspiration (photo credit: Amber Rollo)

“Are we walking?” My two-year-old asks, looking up at me hopefully. “No, it’s too far to walk” I say regretfully, or worse “no, the sidewalks don’t have ramps,” or even “sorry, there are no sidewalks.” She hates being in the car but loves going places, she prefers to walk everywhere, and the poor girl lives in LA.

When we, as a family, walk/roll (my husband Matt uses a wheelchair) down the broken sidewalks of the city, I often think, there’s got to be a better way. I have considered moving to some city that has wide and well kept sidewalks, but I’m a born and bred LA girl. I still have the same 818 phone number of my first flip phone. I love it here—the arts, the sunshine and honestly, I like the grit too. I take pride in raising my daughter in a big city. I want her to see the whole buffet, lobster tails and wilted salad, side by side.

But it is a struggle when the local park doesn’t have curb ramps. And we love trees (my daughter hugs them and tells them that she loves them), but the roots often push up parts of the sidewalks forcing my husband to drive his wheelchair into the street—not the safest with LA drivers. I’ve written many disability access requests in the MyLA 311 app. But sometimes we want something already made to accommodate us, so I’ve been compiling a personal list of accessible and family friendly spots in the city. Here are some of our favorites:

Shanes Inspiration Griffith Park

Our most visited park is Shane’s Inspiration in Griffith Park, named after Griffith Jenkins Griffith, a man who was convicted of shooting his wife in the face (you don’t need to share that part with your kids). Griffith is obviously a popular spot in LA, but a lot of people still don’t know about Shane’s Inspiration.

Tucked away on the North East side of the park, Shane’s Inspiration is a playground designed to be accessible to all. There is a ramp right up into the giant jungle gym, and bucket swings along with graphics teaching about sign language. It’s also top tier fun. Any kid would be ecstatic to try the many slides, the seesaw, the carousels, and the zip line. Yes, there is a freaking zipline. In fact there are two, one bucket seat one, and one rope version.

Shane’s Inspiration was opened in the autumn of 2000 by a nonprofit of the same name, now called Inclusion Matters by Shane’s Inspiration, which was founded by television writer and producer Scott A. Williams (this is LA afterall), his wife Catherine Curry-Williams and their friend Tiffany Harris. The organization has helped create 80 accessible playgrounds across the country and abroad, with 50 more in the works. Maybe we could rename Griffith Park after one of them.

Natural History Museum

Speaking of history, the NHM is so cool, literally. It’s great for summer days when you just can’t beat the heat.

If your toddler is anything like mine, you know that gems are the number one treasure item. At her PreK they used to hide fake plastic gems in the sandbox, but the kids went so feral for them they had to stop. So definitely hit up the Gem and Mineral Hall—just keep them from breaking the glass. If you want 23 mins to sit, the Dinosaur Encounters are awe inspiring, with giant dinosaur puppets teaching your kids about paleontology.

Accessibility wise, the museum is all around amazing, and is fully accessible to wheelchairs and strollers. They have accessible parking, although if you’re going on the weekend I’d recommend getting there early to snag a spot. They have accessible bathrooms and, even better, family care lounges, where everyone can fit comfortably if you need to breast feed, change a diaper or provide any other assistance.

Bob Baker /The Hermosillo

If you can’t get enough of the puppets at NHM, definitely hit up the Bob Baker Marionette Theater.

I know Bob Baker has been mentioned a few times on Backseat Babies, so I don’t need to say much here. It’s awesome. I just wanted to mention that they do have wheelchair designated spots (without chairs) next to the seats. There are only 2 of them, so make sure to buy your tickets early. If your little one wants to sit criss -cross-applesauce in the front, come with another adult who can sit next to them.

Afterwards you can grab a drink or burger at The Hermosillo. It’s just a 4 minute walk/roll down York Blvd, and they have a large back patio that’s very family friendly and accessible. Our daughter made like 3 friends the last time we went. Some people may balk at taking kids to a bar and to them I say, feel free not to go.

Street parking can be a pain, but there are public parking lots with handicap spots between the two spots, one on N Ave 51 between Meridian and York Blvd and one on Lincoln Ave between N Ave 50 and N Ave 51.

The Getty Museum

I know art museums don’t scream child friendly, but the Getty Museum is one of our favorite spots to visit. The tram ride up is a major highlight for our 2-year old, and the tram is accessible— simply enter through a back car.

The Central Garden is a beautiful work of art in itself, and has picturesque views of the City of Angels. All parts of the museum are accessible by wheelchair, and they do have family restrooms if you need to assist anyone. They have lots of scheduled family activities or you can always grab some Art Detective Cards from the Family Cart in the Main Entrance Hall.

CicLAvia

If you, like my daughter, don’t like driving, you should definitely check out CicLAvia.

This organization shuts down sections of LA streets so there is no car traffic, and people-powered modes of transportation take over the streets in a pop up park. This can mean bikes, scooters, skateboards, wagons or good old fashioned walking. Strollers and wheelchairs are absolutely welcome.

Personally, we attach our daughter’s blue wagon (that we got at an estate sale) to my husband’s wheelchair and I walk next to them, or hitch a ride with her. It’s a lot of fun, and great people watching.

On June 28th they have an event where Leimert Park Meets Expo Park and on July 19th they have Meet the Hollywoods from East to West Hollywood. The events are sponsored by Metro and are close to stations, so definitely take the Metro to complete the car free experience.

It is common and shared knowledge that caring for children is hard but worth it. All the cliches are true. Less talked about is the beauty gained in taking care of disabled loved ones. I am learning just as much about life, love and perseverance caring for my husband as I am caring for my daughter.

I think that this applies to society at large too. Children help society look towards the future. In their name we conserve and save, and through that effort we all benefit. Disabled individuals help society look towards the future too. Medical innovation and accessibility is driven by thinking of them, and will benefit us all. Whenever you roll a stroller down a ramp, or take an elevator, or keep the movie volume down for a sleeping baby and use closed captioning, you are benefiting from accommodations made for disabled people.

Progress is slow though. In the last 2 ½ years I have not seen any of the disability access requests that I have put in completed. At the first spot we lived after Matt’s stroke I asked for huge cracks to be fixed and ramps on the corner. At our current place, I’ve asked for a sidewalk on our block, because there just isn’t one. I’ve asked for ramps by her school and at the local park and near friend’s houses.

I know I probably won’t see the fruits of that work. But I’ll keep putting in requests, and following up, planting seeds that will grow the trees future generations will see fruit from. As long as the roots don’t mess up the sidewalks. In the meantime, me and my family will enjoy the shade and fruit of the trees that past generations planted. I hope you do too.

Have a favorite accessible place to play in LA? Add it to our shared Google Doc!

Amber Rollo is a comedian and writer, but these days she is most often in the role of caregiver and mother. She became both of those things 5 days apart. Her husband had a massive stroke 5 days before she gave birth to their daughter. She believes they are the most beautiful and important jobs she will ever have, and that they should be easier. She believes hope is revolutionary and poop jokes are life saving. So now she writes about getting through the shit on her Substack, Give a Care, Take a Care.