Mobility Assistance
For safety reasons, and in accordance with the ADA, there are specific guidelines on permissible mobility devices used on zoo grounds. Thank you for your cooperation to help ensure a safe and successful visit for yourself and other zoo guests.
To maintain a safe pedestrian environment, the Zoo does not allow guests to bring or use most wheeled vehicles within the grounds. Bicycles, tricycles, scooters, skateboards, roller skates, and similar modes of transportation are not allowed. The Zoo allows strollers as well as traditional mobility devices for guests with disabilities such as manually-operated and power-driven wheelchairs, 3-wheel electric scooters, walkers, canes and other manually-operated mobility aides in all areas that are open to the public.
Please review additional details below.
For additional information or questions, contact guestrelations@wcs.org or call 718-220-5103 in advance of your visit.
MOBILITY DEVICES FOR LOAN
Manual Wheelchairs: A limited number of free wheelchairs are available on a first come, first served basis. Ask any Admissions or Security staff for assistance.
PERSONAL WHEELCHAIRS
Guests are welcome to bring and use their own manual wheelchairs and power-assisted wheelchairs throughout the zoo.
MOBILITY ACCOMMODATIONS
Strollers Used As Wheelchairs: Indoor exhibits have stroller restrictions and require guests to self-park strollers prior to entering. An accommodation is available for guests with disabilities who need to remain in a stroller while visiting an indoor attraction. Please contact Guest Relations in advance of your visit, or stop at Admissions on arrival to talk to an Admissions supervisor, to inquire about this accommodation.
Email guestrelations@wcs.org with Subject: Stroller Accommodation Request PPZ; or call 718-220-5103.
Other Power-driven Mobility Devices (OPDMD)
The Zoo accommodates the use of some OPDMDs, which are vehicles that are not wheelchairs, but rather are electric devices designed primarily for use by individuals with mobility limitations such as seated, electric scooters. Guests must use caution when moving around the Zoo on their device to ensure their own safety and the safety of all visitors and staff. Consuming alcoholic beverages while operating an OPDMD is prohibited.
Allowable OPDMDs are generally electric single-seat scooters with three or more wheels that cannot exceed more than 5 miles per hour. Allowable OPDMDs must conform to the following specifications:
- Single seat with three or more wheels. Wheeled mobility devices with less than 3 wheels or devices that cannot maintain stability and balance when stopped, unpowered and/or unoccupied are prohibited. Training wheels and/or modifications are not permitted.
- Devices must be manually or electrically powered. Gas-powered devices are prohibited.
- OPDMDs must be operated at a walking pace, not to exceed 5 mph.
- Devices cannot exceed 36 inches in width and 52 inches in length.
In the interest of maintaining a safe and pedestrian-friendly environment while at the same time ensuring that everyone has a positive experience at the Zoo, operating a mobility device at a speed significantly greater than the flow of the surrounding pedestrian traffic is prohibited. Devices must operate in turtle mode, if available on the device, and must not weave in and out of pedestrian traffic.
Prohibited OPDMDs include:
- Bicycles, trikes, and razor scooters;
- Any device that has only one wheel;
- Any device that has two tandem wheels (e.g., two-wheeled electric/motorized scooters);
- Any device that has been structurally or mechanically altered;
- Any gas-powered vehicle;
- Any device that has or should have a registered license plate;
- All Hoverboards and all Segways®; and
- Any golf carts or similar type vehicle, including battery-powered ride-on toy cars.
For safety reasons, we reserve the right to inspect any mobility device to determine if it is safe to operate at the Zoo. We consider various factors, including but not limited to: the type, size, weight, dimensions, stability, and speed of the device.
For additional information or questions, please contact guestrelations@wcs.org or call 718-220-5103
