Accessibility Review: Glazer Children's Museum

Accessibility Grade: A-

Museums are wonderful places for people to learn, create, and have a ton of fun along the way! At the Glazer Children's Museum, there are a wide variety of exhibits and activities for the entire family. From dinosaur fossils (including Big John, one of the largest, most complete triceratops fossils in the world), to arts and crafts, to a fire truck simulator, this museum is a great place for children and adults to learn about our local community and the rest of our planet. But what is the museum's accessibility like? Come with me on a virtual tour, as we explore the accessible features of the Glazer Children's Museum.

Accessible Parking

While we didn't get any pictures of the parking situation, we definitely had a difficult time finding accessible parking; however, I must point out that this isn't the museum's fault. All in all, finding parking in Downtown Tampa, especially accessible parking, can be pretty difficult. To begin with, it was unclear where we should park. After finally navigating the busy streets, which were under construction, we finally found our way to the recommended William F. Poe garage. To enter, you must be able to grab a token from the machine, located at the garage's entrance. It's a good thing that I wasn't alone, because I am a quad-amputee, which means that I couldn't reach out of my window to use the machine. I needed assistance to do this. Once we were finally inside, the garage was also under construction, which made it more confusing to navigate. Once we parked, we even had difficulty figuring out how to exit the garage, and make our way to the museum. The accessible entrance is located on the west side of the building, between the Glazer Children's Museum and the Tampa Museum of Art, which was also difficult for us to find. Are you noticing a pattern, here? It was a shame to experience these struggles, even before we got the chance to enter the museum. It's especially frustrating because the museum ended up being such a remarkable institution. But now that we have that out of the way, let's get to talking about the museum, itself!

Accessibility Accommodations & Devices

The Glazer Children's museum does a great job of accommodating a variety of accessibility needs. If you have mobility limitations and need something like a wheelchair, they have a limited number of VELA mobility chairs. These are free for guests to rent and are available, by request, at Guest Services. Keep in mind that they are first come, first served. If you need a VELA mobility chair, before you arrive at the children's museum, it would be a good idea to call and request one. In addition to these mobility devices, the museum offers a number of additional accessibility devices. This service includes important resources for children with disabilities, including weighted vests, fidget toys, noise-cancelling headphones, sound amplifiers, and more.

For individuals who are hard of hearing, or who have an auditory processing disorder, you can rent a device called a Poketalker Sound Amplifier. It can help to increase the level of sound that is closest to you, while cutting out background noise. It can either be used with or without hearing aids. For kiddos who experience red-green color blindness, a pair of child-size EnChtroma Glasses are available to rent. Lastly, for kids and adults who experience sensory sensitivities, KultureCity Sensory Bags are available at guest services, upon request. Within them, guests will find a few helpful tools, including: noise reducing headphones from Pure Sound Labs, fidget devices of different types (marble, noodle, and mesh), strobe reduction glasses, a VIP lanyard, a visual cue card, and a weighted lap pad.

Along with the accommodations listed above, the Glazer Children's museum has a variety of accessible facilities. These include an oversized elevator, which is plenty big, and can fit at least two to three large, power wheelchairs. Additionally, accessible restrooms are also located near the elevators, on every floor. They include accessible stalls, as well as changing tables. Note: all toilets have an automatic flushing feature. If you or your child experience sensory sensitivity and feel like this feature is too noisy, Guest Service will be happy to give you a Sensor Cover to help reduce any loud noise coming from the toilets.

Onto The Exhibits!

KidsPort

The first exhibit that we visited was KidsPort. Here, kids can enjoy playing with a variety of water toys. A replica of the Skyway Bridge stands at the middle, surrounded by sea creatures, boats, helicopters, and more. You can send a ball all the way across the bridge, and see how long it takes to reach the other side. The height of the KidsPort should be appropriate for most kiddos; however, if your child is a wheelchair user, there's a chance that they could experience difficulty reaching into the exhibit and playing with the water toys. Of course, this experience will be different for every child, so just keep that in mind.

Art Smart

After we rode the elevator upstairs, we made our way to the next exhibit: Art Smart. Here, kids have access to a large, open area. In this space, there are a variety of activities for them to engage with, including a variety of arts and crafts. Kiddos can build towers out of blocks and tiles. If your child loves music, there is an interactive wall mural a that's wonderful way to get your blood flowing. You may even want to use this opportunity to have that dance off you've been thinking about. Because there's so much room, this exhibit is plenty big for children who use mobility devices, such as wheelchairs, walkers, etc. From what we observed, everything appeared as if it would be within reach of children who use mobility equipment.

Firehouse

In this exhibit, kids can pretend that they are firefighters. Whether they want to slide down a pole, or take the firetruck simulator for a spin, this exhibit would be a blast for children who love to play firefighters. While we thought that these features were really cool, I should point that it may be tough for kids who have mobility disabilities. To get into the front seat of the fire truck, you may need to transfer your child from their wheelchair. Depending on their core strength, they also may need assistance to stand up straight, or reach any of the devices, such as the steering wheel. Though the Firehouse exhibit was really cool, due its nature, I was under the impression that it wouldn't be very accessible for  some children who have mobility disabilities.

Make Space

Here, a number of art supplies are available to children and their families, where everybody is encouraged to be flex their art muscles to create their own works of art! While we visited, families were using art supplies to make their own gingerbread houses. Depending on when you go to the Glazer Children's Museum, this space may be used to create different kinds of artwork, with different kinds of supplies. This space was really accessible. The Make Space features a couple of long, wooden tables, where you and your family can channel your inner artist. The size of the tables offer plenty of room for people who use mobility devices. The stools are also easy to move out of the way, making it even easier to access the tables.

Ocean Sandbox

This exhibit appeared to be great for kiddos who are on the autism spectrum. It had low light and, since it was situated away from other exhibits, there was significantly less noise. While the kids play around with the sand, an overhead projector shines an ocean scene onto it. They can play around with the sand, or even use it as a good chance to stim, while watching a variety of sea creatures glide across its smooth surface.

Big John

Since I was a kid, I've been absolutely obsessed with dinosaurs. It just so happens that the Glazer Children's Museum is home to the largest, and one of the most complete, Triceratops fossils in the world! Standing at about 10 feet tall, and 26 feet long, Big John obviously gets his namesake from his massive size! In fact, he's estimated to be about 5-10% larger than any triceratops that we've discovered, up to this point in time. Likely from a fight with another Triceratops, Big John had sustained an injury to his frill, which is evident by the large hole in it. There's even a tunnel, leading under Big John, allowing kids the opportunity to see the fossil from a different view; however, this tunnel was too low to the ground for most, if not all, wheelchair users. Just something to keep in mind. 

Within the exhibit, there are a bunch of other fun, dinosaur-related, interactive displays to explore! Located on one of the walls, the picture on the right shows one of the museum staff, flipping up a panel. Behind these are a number of facts about paleontology, dinosaurs, as well as Big John. If your kiddo is a wheelchair user, they may experience some difficulty reaching some of the panels, located towards the top of this, specific exhibit.

Mounted on another wall, you'll find a puzzle of a triceratops fossil. It's low to the ground, making it a great height for younger kids, as well as kiddos who are wheelchair users. This is a wonderful detail, because it encourages children to play together, whether they use mobility equipment or not. By putting the puzzle together, they can learn a bit more about Big John's skeleton, where they can see and feel how each bone fits together. It also encourages them to engage with spatial awareness.

If you and your kid also love art, the Scanning Station will allow you to create your very own dinosaur! By coloring a dinosaur sheet, and then scanning it, your colorful creation will come to life. A projector, mounted on the ceiling, shows an image of a prehistoric landscape. After placing your colored dinosaur in the tray, shown in the image to the right, your dinosaur will walk around with other dinosaurs that have been colored and scanned by other visitors. You can also scan the QR code, located on the sign above the scanning station, to design your dinosaur on a smart device, such as a phone or tablet. I thought that this was a wonderful, accessibility feature! Unfortunately, because of the lighting we couldn't get a good picture of the dinosaurs in action. That just means you'll have to visit to see it for yourself!

In addition to the wonderful exhibits that the Glazer Children's Museum has to offer, their inclusive programs make the institution a great resource for families with disabled children. Each summer, the museum hosts Camp Imagination. During select weeks, they feature additional staff, who are specially trained and knowledgeable of children with disabilities. They also have a quiet room for campers who experience sensory sensitivities, such as children on the autism spectrum. You can even request reimbursement through the museum's program, called the "Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities." If you are interested, send an email to camps@glazermuseum.org and request an application.

In closing, the Glazer Children's Museum was a wonderful institution. As mentioned above, just be mindful of the parking situation. Aside from that, the museum itself offers a safe space to learn, for children and parents alike. 

Author:

Kyle Romano

Photographer:

Luis Rodriguez

Having A Happy and Accessible Holiday Season

Once again, the holiday season is here! If your family is anything like mine, that means spending a lot of time with parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, and even friends. If you've ever wondered whether your place is accessible, fear not! Here are some tips to help you plan a holiday party that will be inviting to all of your guests, whether they use mobility equipment or not.

Outside

Since I'm a wheelchair user, I notice things that abled people typically take for granted. For example, some paths and walkways may seem like they're more accessible than they really are. Since they're pretty common, lets use pavers as an example. While they usually look beautiful, pavers and cobblestones can be difficult for wheelchair users to cross.

Tires, and even some low-hanging parts, can actually get stuck in the cracks between each stone. The front casters of manual wheelchairs tend to catch on these gaps, making them both difficult and dangerous to traverse. Depending on how they're laid, pavers and cobblestones can also make for a pretty bumpy ride, making things more difficult for people who need extra support for their necks and backs.

Gravel, sand, and soft dirt are a wheelchair user's kryptonite. You may not expect it, but most power and manual wheelchairs sink right into pockets of sand. Smooth, concrete sidewalks and walkways are definitely the most accessible for people who use wheelchairs, canes, walkers, scooters, or any other kind of mobility device. 32-inches is usually wide enough to accommodate these devices, and is also the ADA standard for public places like parks.

Lawn parties can be a great way to spend time with your friends and family, but what if you're trying to put together a lawn party that's accessible to people who use mobility devices? While lush, green grass looks beautiful, it may be tough for manual wheelchair users to push themselves through. Unseen dips and holes could also make things tricky for people who are visually impaired or use power wheelchairs, walkers, canes, etc. In my heyday, I was known to flip a chair or two, so I've been on the receiving end of surprise lawn holes. Thick grass can also be tough on the motors of power wheelchairs, causing more wear and tear than usual. If you're worried that your yard may be too lush for it's own good, you can lay down some boards that lead from your house to the area where you'll be hanging out. If you're still concerned, it may be better to host your party indoors, or at least on a patio.

When it comes to the parking situation at holiday gatherings, make sure to leave enough room in between each one. 32 inches should be wide enough for wheelchair users to fit between. Accessible vehicles also need about 5-6 feet to safely load/unload a wheelchair or other type of mobility aid. Whether your guest has an accessible van, truck, SUV, or car, please extend a parking courtesy to those who may need it, and make sure that your other guests know.

At the very least, most houses seem to have a single step at their front door. For wheelchair users, entryways like this may be difficult to access without a ramp.

Before you do anything, such as buying or building your own ramp, make sure to talk to the host about your accessibility needs. You may discover that they already have a solution.

In the case that your host does not have an accessibility solution, preparing in advance could save you both a lot of time and frustration. You may need to either bring a ramp that you've purchased, or make your own.

As a word of caution, the Americans with Disabilities Act states that all public ramps should have an incline of no more than 5 degrees. To make sure that you stay safe during your holiday festivities, please keep this in mind. Under no circumstances should anybody remove the anti-tippers/wheelie bars from a wheelchair. If you think that your anti-tippers are preventing you from going up an incline, the angle is too steep. You may either need a longer ramp, or an entirely different solution.

Inside

 
According to the Americans With Disabilities Act, wheelchair accessible doorways are 32 inches wide, while hallways must be 36 inches wide. It may seem strange that accessible hallways are wider than doors, but wheelchair users need a little extra room to safely turn around. You may also arrange your furniture to follow these guideline.

Because of their size, certain rooms may be more or less accessible for people who use mobility devices. In particular, restrooms may be difficult for us to navigate. We can't assume that every home will have an accessible restroom, even if that home is owned by one of your family member or a close friends. While ADA standards may call for public facilities to install grab bars, to have raised toilet seats, or to have accessible controls for the sink, personal bathrooms aren't usually furnished this way. As a precaution, measuring the width of the bathroom door is always a great place to start. If you feel that the interior of your own bathroom is a bit cramped, it's OK to communicate that to your guests.

After you've spent some time with your guests and have helped them feel comfortable, to get a better idea for future gatherings, you may want to ask them about the accessibility of your home. You can do this directly by asking questions like, "Do you need help?" or "How can I help you?" If you feel uncomfortable being so direct, consider asking more general questions, such as, "Are you enjoying yourself?" or "Can I get you anything?" The best approach will depend on you and your guests, so try and feel things out before asking.

Like any other party or gathering, the most important part is the food! By arranging entrees, sides, drinks, plates, silverware, etc., at an appropriate height, you'll give wheelchair users the opportunity to serve themselves; however, some of us still may need assistance. Usually, if we need help, we'll ask.

Though it might not seem ideal, in the case that you're house isn't accessible, it is always an option to host the event at a different location. That way, all of your guests feel included. Since the holidays are about enjoying each other's company, let's make this season a fun and accessible one!

Author:
Kyle Romano

Accessibility Review: Sunken Gardens

Accessibility Grade: B-

At about 100 years old, Sunken Gardens is an historical landmark in Downtown St. Petersburg . It's the area's oldest, living museum, boasting a collection of plant species that range into the thousands, as well as a number of different animals species. Let's meander our way through this lush landscape, and give you the lowdown on the accessibility of this iconic, roadside attraction.

As we usually do, I'll start things off by briefly mentioning the accessible parking situation. Sunken Gardens shares a parking lot with Carrabba's Italian Grill. In front of the restaurant, there is a small section of accessible parking spaces, which include a total of four spaces and three unloading zones. There are two more spaces, sharing one unloading zone, that are located to the left of the spots that are shown in the picture above. Since there aren't a ton of accessible parking spots, and since they are shared with the restaurant, I'd recommend arriving early to find accessible parking.

When we were approaching the entrance to the Sunken Gardens gift shop, where you purchase  tickets and actually make your way into the park, we happened upon this sign. Sadly, since Sunken Gardens is considered an historical landmark, there are areas within it that aren't very accessible. For example, as you'll see in other pictures that we've taken, there are some paths that aren't wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs. There are also some stairs and places that are either uneven or steep. We did our best to show these areas as accurately as possible but, due to my own safety, had to be careful while doing so. It's not that I want to start this Review off on a negative note, but I thought it was really important to note. Personally, this was pretty disheartening, because the entire park is really pretty. I digress.

After making our way through the park's entrance, we were greeted by a nice, open courtyard. In the center of this outdoor lobby, the ground is made of artificial turf. Along the outskirts is a concrete path, which was widened by adding a walk space made out of a different, patterned material. Though the artificial turf may be more difficult for some manual wheelchair users to maneuver, the concrete/stone paths also may be a bit bumpy. Choose the area that's easiest for you to navigate and be as safe as possible, but make sure to look around as much as possible! There are a lot of magnificent flowers, bushes, and trees that frame the area.

After making our way through the first section, we came across a variety of themed gardens. There are a lot of exhibits, such as the mini-desert garden pictured on the right. Here, there is a gravel path that leads  into a rocky garden that's full of cacti, as well as more desert-dwelling vegetation. While I'm usually wary of taking my power wheelchair through gravel, this path was packed enough so that I didn't have a problem. Of course, it may not be very accessible for manual wheelchair users. It could also be difficult for people who use canes or other walking aids.

Continuing forward, we made our way further into an area that seemed like a tropical paradise. To the left of this wide pathway were some enclosures, which home to a few species of birds and other animals. Looking up, I noticed an intricate tangle of vines and tree limbs. They offered some nice coverage from the hot, Florida sun, and were really beautiful.

Through out the park, there are a number of great viewing areas. These spaces are usually overlooking a particular exhibit. While I was able to see over the fence, as well as the vines growing all over it, I need to mention that I sit fairly tall in my wheelchair. In order to see into some exhibits, manual wheelchair users and kiddos may need to get as close to these fences as possible. In these kinds of situations, power wheelchair users may find it helpful to use their seat elevators and raise themselves to an appropriate viewing height.

While some walkways are plenty wide, there are a number of them  barely has enough room to accommodate my wheelchair. Whenever I came across another person, the narrow path didn't leave much room for them to pass by me and continue on their way. Since many of the walkways are lined with trees, bushes, etc., it made it even more difficult for me to accommodate people passing by. They also had a tough time leaving enough room for me to move passed them.

What would a jungle be without a waterfall? Surrounded by a variety of ferns and other plants, this exhibit was pretty easy to get around. I could drive my wheelchair right up to the waterfall, which actually felt cooler than the rest of the area. With the afternoon heat blaring down on me, this ended up being one of my favorite spots in the park.

Though not completely out of the sun, we came upon a semi-shaded and paved area that resembled a large pavilion. There were two, wide sidewalk, that led visitors along this garden. Here, there were a number of  beautiful, potted plants, trees, ferns, and even some vines. Though the roof of this pavilion was vented, meaning that it didn't offer complete coverage from the sun, it still gave us a bit of shade. 

As mentioned above, Sunken Gardens displays a number of exhibits featuring a variety of fish, birds, and reptiles. The koi pons was surrounded by beautiful vegetation some of which displayed flowers during the time of our visit. As I've noted in other Accessibility Reviews, I have always been an animal person. There was a good number of koi, all of which were as large as they were beautiful. The pond itself was also made in an interesting shape, including an outer wall that wound to the left and right, giving the appearance of waves. What was great about this wave-like design, is that I could get a bit closer to the water than usual. Pulling up, I noticed that it made me feel as if I was in the pond.

Anybody, who knows me, is well aware that I absolutely love turtles and tortoises. When I saw this red foot tortoise exhibit, I felt like a kid again. All of the animals seemed to be well taken care of, whether it was one of these tortoises or any of the other critters.

The flamingo enclosure was absolutely beautiful, and seemed pretty accessible. In the picture on the right, I'm using the seat elevator on my wheelchair, which is raising me well above the fence that surrounds the flamingo exhibit. If you are on the shorter side, and have a seat elevator, this could be a good place to use it. Though the exhibit can be seen through the fence, the pattern of it may prove to be too distracting for some park goers. Otherwise, manual wheelchair users should try to get as close to the fence as possible; however, in front of the fence, there is a section of mulch that spans the entire width of the exhibit. Though this seemed to be packed pretty hard, and was easy enough for me to deal with in my power chair, the front casters of manual wheelchairs may get stuck here. Additionally, people that use walkers, canes, and other mobility aids, should be careful.

Continuing passed the flamingo exhibit, you'll find yourself at an information center. This building is a great place to hide from the sun, and to give yourself a few minutes to cool off. 

Once inside, you'll find a treasure trove of information that'll take you through the history of Sunken Gardens. There is a panel in the back of the room, which has a series of buttons on it. Pressing each of these buttons will start a different video. Unfortunately, brail is not provided for these buttons, meaning that people with visual impairment won't be able to tell which button they're pressing. I also didn't notice a brail version of the information that was written all over the walls.

Sunken Gardens is an historical, outdoor museum that displays a beautiful assortment of plants and animals. Though I did have a good time, and though staff were accommodating, it pains me to say that the accessibility of this park was... lacking in a lot of ways. Some areas were completely inaccessible. I recognize that adding accessibility features can alter the integrity of an historical landmark; however, as a wheelchair user, that doesn't feel like it should also excuse a place from being accessible. This is my personal opinion, though. Depending on your disability and your limitations, your experiences at Sunken Gardens will differ. While I did enjoy my time, this reality loomed over my head during my entire visit.

Author:

Kyle Romano

Photographer:

Luis Rodriguez

Accessibility Review: Tampa Riverwalk

Accessibility Grade: A

Winding its way along the iconic Hillsborough River, the Tampa Riverwalk ushers visitors through a number of scenic parks, museums, restaurants, and art installations that are located around Downtown Tampa. To say that there's a lot to see is a massive understatement! During our time, we only had the chance to go through a portion of the waterfront path's expansive 2.6 mile length. Come with us as we journey along some of the most picturesque parts of the Downtown Tampa area, accessible to us because of the Tampa Riverwalk.

As we usually do, let's start things off by talking a little about the parking situation. Since Riverwalk covers such a wide area, there are a few places that you can park; however, accessible parking isn't always the easiest to find in Downtown Tampa. This rings especially true if you are on the hunt for parking that's both free and accessible. While it's possible to secure a free spot at Armature Works, which is a location that I'll mention further along in this Review, there's no guarantee that you'll find accessible parking in their lot. Having multiple options will give you the best chance to find accessible parking. On this trip, we ended up finding free, accessible parking at the Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park. 

When we arrived, we noticed that there were a decent amount of spaces. Even though this is the case, during events, they tend to fill up quickly. If you're attending a festival, celebration, etc. at the park, I'd recommend showing up earlier in the day. This location seemed to be pretty central to a lot of the restaurants, parks, etc. Since this was the case, this parking lot ended up being the perfect place to begin our excursion through the Downtown Tampa area.

The Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park has a number of beautiful, art installations, such as the one pictured above. It greeted us as as we exited our vehicle, which set the tone for the rest of our trip. Moving further into the park, I noticed that the paths were all very smooth. The sidewalks were very wide, which is always great for manual and power chair users, as well as other people who use mobility devices like walkers or canes. This area felt really easy to get around, also making it great for caregivers, family, and friends, who push and/or assist people who use dependent mobility devices. As I mentioned above, we went to the Riverfront Park during a time that wasn't crowded. If you find yourself there at a peak time, such as during a busy event or on the weekend, please know that accessible parking spaces may appear more limited than during the time of our visit. This detail may be important, especially for individuals who experience high amounts of social anxiety, or those who have high sensory sensitivity.

While the Riverfront Park's lot can be a good place to park during the day, if you are planning to visit Riverwalk during the evening, make sure to find a different location. The public park is open from sunrise until 10:00 P.M., which also means that you'll only be able to leave your vehicle in this lot during those hours.

Within Riverfront Park, as well as along Riverwalk, there are a number of "accessible route" signs. These were really helpful, and pointed out the most accessible paths for visitors to take. These routes also featured wide sidewalks that were relatively smooth. While they aren't always wide enough to allow two wheelchair users to roll side-by-side, they are definitely wide enough to accommodate most types of mobility devices.

In front of the Tampa River Center, which is also shown in the first picture of this Accessibility Review, is a nice area that overlooks the Hillsborough River. There are a number of benches for people who aren't wheelchair users. In front of these benches is a fence, which  may be too tall for some manual wheelchair users to see over. Luckily, though it's kind of tough to tell in this picture, it's easy to see through this fence because it's made of thinly-dispersed cable. In this area, there is also a boat ramp and two docks, both of which can be accessed by two, large ramps.

As you make your way through the park, you'll notice a bunch of plaques, much like the one in the picture shown on the left. Each of these gives park goers a little information, telling a bit about some historical events that took place  either in the city of Tampa, or in the Tampa Bay area. Once you venture outside of the Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park, you'll pass a few more of these historical plaques, some of which also feature statues of the individuals that they are describing. As we make our way further down Riverwalk, I'll show a few of them a bit later in the article.

As we made our way through the park, we ended up coming across a couple of accessible, unisex bathrooms. From my own experience, finding accessible restrooms can be both nerve wracking and difficult. Needless to say, I was pretty relieved to find them. Though they were pretty roomy inside, these restrooms didn't have automatic doors. If you have difficulty getting in and out of doors (especially since these were kind of heavy), you may need assistance to enter and exit these bathrooms.

Next to the Tampa River Center, an art installation decorates a concrete path that extends over the Hillsborough River. The piece is titled 'Form of Wander,' and was created by Marc Fornes and the art studio THEVERYMANY, who are based in New York.

This space offers a great view of some buildings located on the opposite side of the river. From here, it's easy to see some other landmarks, such as the renowned performing arts venue, the Straz Center. Of course, by turning around, you can also catch a great view of the Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park.

Continuing onward, we crossed a bridge that allowed us to access more of the park, which extends to the opposite side of the river. Crossing the bridge takes you along a path  made of grated metal. My power wheelchair didn't have much trouble navigating it, though it was definitely a much bumpier ride than I expected. I imagine that the experience would be similar for somebody using a manual wheelchair, and that the bumpy surface may make it more difficult to propel yourself over. For those using other mobility devices, such as canes or walkers, this surface may  make it tough for you to walk over. The bumpy ride may be difficult for wheelchair users who have difficulty with their posture, including sitting up, or holding their head in an upright position.

Taking the bridge, you'll swing through another section of the park, featuring a number of sculptures and other art pieces. Even though these sidewalks weren't as wide, they led down to a path that ran right along the water's edge. Here, it was much easier to get around. Getting that close to the water was also a really nice experience, especially since I try to be careful with my wheelchair whenever I'm near any body of water.

Even though this path was much wider, I'd like to mention that we saw a number of joggers and cyclists along the way. Because of that, while you're on this path, I'd recommend staying to the right. That way, people travelling at high speeds can pass you safely.

As I mentioned above, there are a number of statues and plaques that dot the Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park. Here, you'll find statues every so often, which feature historical figures that depict people who were prominent in Tampa's history.

If you're looking to cool off a bit, crossing beneath some of the bridges can be a great place to get out of the sun and catch the breeze. Much like the picture on the left, there are a number of fantastic art pieces that are feature through out all of Riverwalk. This one, located under the Fortune Taylor Street Bridge, is named 'Woven Waves' and was a collaboration between Re:Site and Metalab. Depending on where you view the piece, it can have a different appearance. Looking at it, from the other side, will also show a different design than the one shown in this picture.

The end of our journey, along the Tampa Riverwalk, brought us to Armature Works. Whether you're looking to grab a coffee, get some food, or scratch your shopping itch, Tampa's Armature works is a great collection of local restaurants, bars, and stores. It also hosts different kinds of events and other forms of entertainment, featuring regular musicians and holiday celebrations.

If you've been searching for an interesting place to spend the afternoon, Tampa Riverwalk meanders through some great parks and even leads to some of the great food and beverage spots that Downtown Tampa has to offer. Whether you're looking to exercise, relax, grab dinner, or even attend a festival, Riverwalk is a fun and interesting way to pass the time.

Author:

Kyle Romano

Photographer:

Luis Rodriguez