Step pools at Woodend Nature Sanctuary

Woodend Nature Sanctuary
Accessibility

Accessible Trail

Woodend’s accessible nature trail is constructed of bonded gravel. The trail is a quarter mile long and eight feet wide. It is not a loop trail but instead connects to our driveway at western and eastern trailheads.

Near the center of the trail, you’ll find a pond with accessible boardwalks. There are two accessible parking spaces at the eastern trailhead and an accessible driveway pull-off at the western trailhead. Accessible restrooms are located at the eastern trailhead.

Benches at regular intervals along the trail are available for those who would like to stop to rest.

Nature Play Space - The Nature Play Space at the eastern trailhead includes features for children with a range of abilities and play preferences. The pathways in the space are made of crushed stone, 4-feet wide at accessible grades. Sand and water tables, play houses, chalkboards, and a weaving wall, are accessible to children seated in a wheelchair. The sand play zone and the wood thrush feature include wheelchair transform platforms. A bilingual (Spanish/English) communication board in the space can support children with limited speech. Accessible parking and bathrooms located nearby.

The Nature Play Space at the eastern trailhead includes features for children with a range of abilities and play preferences.

Pathways in the space are made of crushed stone and are four-feet wide at accessible grades. Sand and water tables, play houses, chalkboards, and a weaving wall, are accessible to children in wheelchairs. The sand play zone and the wood thrush feature include wheelchair transfer handles.

A bilingual (Spanish/English) communication board in the space can support children with limited speech.

Accessible parking and restrooms are located nearby.

Restrooms - There are two accessible bathrooms at the eastern trailhead, adjacent to the Nature Play Space and across the driveway from the two accessible parking spaces. Next to these bathrooms there is an enclosed changing area with a large wooden changing table that is low to the ground to allow for wheelchair transfers. We do not currently have a fully accessible restroom inside the main building. However, the bathroom across from the reception office has been modified to make it as accessible as possible given wall layout. It has a wall-mounted changing table that is appropriate for babies and toddlers.

Two accessible restrooms are at the eastern trailhead, adjacent to the Nature Play Space and across the driveway from the two accessible parking spaces. Next to the restrooms is an enclosed changing area with a large wooden changing table that is low to the ground to allow for wheelchair transfers.

We do not currently have a fully accessible restroom inside the mansion, however, we modified the restroom across from the reception office to make it as accessible as possible. Its wall-mounted changing table is appropriate for babies and toddlers.

Parking - There are two signed accessible spaces near the Jones Mill Rd entrances, across from the Nature Play Space. There is a third accessible parking spot available on the north side of the main building, just outside the Woodend Nature Shop.

There are two signed accessible spaces near the Jones Mill Road entrance, across from the Nature Play Space.

A third accessible parking spot is available on the north side of the main building, just outside the Woodend Nature Shop.

Building entrances -
There is an accessible door on the north side of the main building, including an automatic door opener push button. Customers using smaller wheelchairs and mobility devices can access the Woodend Nature Shop by using this door via a connecting hallway. We do not currently have an accessible entrance to the Teale building.

An accessible door on the north side of the main building includes an automatic door opener push button. Customers using smaller wheelchairs and mobility devices can access the Woodend Nature Shop using this door via a connecting hallway.

We do not currently have an accessible entrance to the Teale building.


Visit Woodend Nature Sanctuary

8940 Jones Mill Road
Chevy Chase, MD 20815

Trails are open daily from dawn to dusk.
Admission is free.

If you are in Northern Virginia,
you also can 
visit our Rust Sanctuary

Thank you for leaving dogs and other pets at home.