Sunny Meadow Farms Accessibility 9/29/24

By: Robert Ouellette

Sunny Meadow Farms, Chelmsford, MA

A man in a wheelchair posing with a scarecrow in a wheelchair.

Chelmsford's Land Conservation Trusts (CLCT) First Scarecrow Contest

The community scarecrow contest was held at Bartlett Park in Chelmsford. I entered the contest and came in second place. I felt a part of the community. There were no barriers to accessibility or inclusion.

ramp accessing a raised garden bed.

Ramp to the raised garden at Sunny Meadow Farm

The ramp is on both sides of the platform, making it possible for a wheelchair or someone using a mobility device to access the garden from either the right or left side.

a wooden ramp going up to a raised garden

Ramp to raised garden

The garden has two ways to enter on the ramp one on the left and one on the right. If you are using a mobility device you can access this garden with no accessibility issues.

concrete raised garden bed showing one step for kneeling or standing.

The opposite side of the ramp, accessing the raised garden

This image shows the opposite side of the raised garden. Here, a gardener can be on the step side while someone using a wheelchair is on the ramped side of the garden so they can interact. This is a perfect example of inclusion in the community.

a man in a wheelchair with a lady on opposite sides of an accessible raised garden bed.

Sunny Meadow Farms raised garden beds

My friend Patti and I could talk while she gardened. If I were a gardener, I would access the plants from my right side or have a raised bed with three sides that I could drive into. Knowing I can come here and plant in my community is exciting.

a wheelchair accessible picnic table

Accessible picnic table

This table was easily made accessible for a wheelchair by cutting the pieces shown. Pieces of wood were cut off the end of the seat to prevent a wheelchair from getting stuck. The top of the table extends out further so a wheelchair can fit under it.

a man in a wheelchair sitting at an accessible picnic table.

Accessible picnic table

My wheelchair fits perfectly under the table.

Man in a wheelchair having a conversation with a woman at an accessible picnic table.

Accessible picnic table

This is my mom and I sitting at the picnic table. We seldom get to sit at picnic tables because most do not extend, so I cannot get close enough to the table. My legs will hit the bar way before I reach the tabletop.

white wooden fence with third rail removed to prevent view obstruction

Fence at Sunny Meadow

This was genius! COSS made sure no one's view was obstructed. By removing the top fence rail it makes it perfect for someone in a wheelchair to see the gorgeous view or even talk to someone on the other side without having the fence block their view.

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