ACCESSIBLE OHIO -- PART 10

THE WILDS NATURE PRESERVE, IN CUMBERLAND

When visitors board the bus, they soon find themselves wandering the habitat of giraffes, zebra, rhino and a host of other exotic beasts.

This magical, wheelchair-accessible safari takes place not in Kenya, but southeastern Ohio.

At 14000 International Rd. in Cumberland on nearly 10,000 acres once mined for coal, the Wilds educates and captivates. 

The Wilds’ accessibility is well thought out without being obtrusive. 

The barrier-free visitor center has a gift shop and restaurant with enough room to maneuver a chair. 

The center has accessible restrooms. 

Also on the park’s grounds is a wetlands trail with a wheelchair-accessible boardwalk. 

The Wilds has two wheelchair lift equipped vehicles – a bus and a van.

STORY CONTINUES TOMORROW -- MAY 1

ACCESSIBLE OHIO -- PART 9

CONFEDERATE CEMETERY, JOHNSON’S ISLAND

Close by are historical markers that provide vivid details of daily life at the prison. 

Reading the narrative conjures up images of living, breathing human beings struggling to deal with the ugly realities of survival during wartime while maintaining their dignity. 

After contemplating the site’s history, one can head toward the northern end of the cemetery where a large, bronze statue of a Confederate soldier stands watch. 

To learn more about Johnson’s Island, call the Ottawa County Visitors Bureau at 1-800-441-1271.

http://www.johnsonsisland.org

STORY CONTINUES TOMORROW -- APRIL 30

ACCESSIBLE OHIO -- PART 8

CONFEDERATE CEMETERY, JOHNSON’S ISLAND

Just a stone’s throw from the twinkling lights and boisterous crowds of Cedar Point is a sanctuary for quiet reflection. 

Located in Ottawa County, Johnson’s Island sits in Sandusky Bay and harbors the grounds of a former Civil War military prison and Confederate cemetery. 

History buffs and the merely curious can reach the island located just south of the Marblehead Lighthouse via a causeway that runs off Rt.163.

The buildings where thousands lived, worked and took shelter from the cold Lake Erie winters are gone, but the place where 206 people were laid to rest remains.

Visitors can park nearby and wind their way along the level, well-manicured ground in between the white Georgia marble tombstones.

There’s room to maneuver a wheelchair past the headstones that memorialize names, military ranks and states of origin, haunting reminders of a violent struggle that pitted brother against brother.

STORY CONTINUES TOMORROW -- APRIL 29

ACCESSIBLE OHIO -- PART 7

CONKLE’S HOLLOW AND ASH CAVE,

IN THE HOCKING HILLS

 

Over the years, tens of thousands had the pleasure of crossing paths with local sage Leland Conner.

The spry retiree was an author and expert on Native American history and folklore.

He brought history alive with his colorful stories of encounters between white settlers and Indians.

But sadly, these kind man who also was astutely aware of access issues, died along with his wife in a crash caused by a teen who stole a vehicle.

When you hike the Hocking Hills, think of Leland's gentle soul.

The Hocking County Tourism Association at the Hocking Hills Regional Welcome Center, 13178 Rt. 664 S., can arrange a tour guide.

Phone 1-800-HOCKING, or 1-740-385-9706.

www.conkleshollow.com

STORY CONTINUES TOMORROW -- APRIL 28

ACCESSIBLE OHIO -- PART 6

CONKLE’S HOLLOW AND ASH CAVE,

IN THE HOCKING HILLS

Thousands of years ago, mammoth glaciers sculpted the land in the Hocking Hills, creating peaks, basins and caves.

As a result, the area is a beautiful spot for hiking. 

Happily, accessible trails exist for the modestly ambitious to the rough and tumble.

Conkle’s Hollow, on Big Pine Rd., just off Rt. 374, has nearly a mile of trails on wooden walkways suitable for people who use walkers or wheelchair users capable of rolling through a somewhat challenging course.

The trail winds its way along the basin of the deep, rocky gorge.

Here, eye-catching wildflowers lush ferns and spring up at the feet of birch and hemlock trees.

For the more fainthearted, the one quarter mile paved trail to Ash Cave is very wheelchair-friendly.

The brief hike leads to a massive shelter cave and nearby 90-foot waterfall. 

The cave is on Rt. 56, just off Rt. 374.

STORY CONTINUES TOMORROW -- APRIL 27

ACCESSIBLE OHIO -- PART 5

THE OHIO STATEHOUSE, IN COLUMBUS

While the tours, given virtually every day but holidays, cover the interior of the statehouse, visitors should figure in time to look at the various statues and monuments scattered around its grounds.\

Paved paths provide access to a number of displays.

The McKinley Monument (located on the west side of the statehouse and honoring former governor and assassinated president William McKinley.)

These Are My Jewels (located on the northwest side of the Capitol Square grounds and honoring several native sons.)

For more information on the Ohio Statehouse or to schedule a tour, call 1-614-728-2695 or 1-888-OHIO-123.

www.ohiostatehouse.org

 

STORY CONTINUES TOMORROW -- APRIL 26

ACCESSIBLE OHIO -- PART 4

THE OHIO STATEHOUSE, IN COLUMBUS

The statehouse took 22 years to complete.

Long, drawn-out public works projects were a fact of life long before orange barrels wreaked havoc on our highways.

The structure was built between 1839 and 1861, relying largely on prison labor from the Ohio Penitentiary to construct the foundation and ground floors.

The Greek Revival building -- bounded by Broad, 3rd, State and High streets -- emerged triumphant after more than $100 million worth of renovations were completed in 1996.

The statehouse is wheelchair accessible via ramps leading into the building and elevators reach all floors.

Tour guides are aware of the needs of people with a wide range of disabilities and their routes avoid steps when people with mobility impairments are touring.

The free tours roam the halls of the seat of state government, where Abraham Lincoln addressed a joint session of the General Assembly in 1861.

STORY CONTINUES TOMORROW -- APRIL 25