Shown are the 2 accessible parking spaces next to the Ashland Visitor Center. These spaces, as well as other spaces available for visitor parking, are street parking spaces along North Railroad Avenue, which is a 1-way road that wraps around the train tracks and the Ashland Visitor Center. You want to park on the half of North Railroad Avenue that has the Ashland Visitor Center closer to it. The accessible spaces are just past the Visitor Center on the same side of the street, and are marked with the international symbol of accessibility painted on the pavement, as well as a sign that says "Reserved Parking" with the international symbol of accessibility that is in the middle of the 2 accessible street parking spaces. These 2 spaces are about 100 inches wide and at least 20 feet long, but do not have access aisles. These spaces are located on the left side of a 1-way street, meaning it may be difficult or impossible for some visitors to drive to this location, park in these spaces, and have space next to them to get out. That being said, there are some more street parking spaces right next to this visitor center and behind this visitor center that are on the right side of the street, but they are not labeled as accessible and do not have a curb ramp right next to them. In this picture, there is a crossed out space between the accessible spaces that is about 64.5 inches wide and 95 inches long that leads to a curb ramp to get on the sidewalk.
Shown is a closer look at the curb ramp to get on the sidewalk between the 2 accessible spaces. The curb ramp is more than 36 inches wide, has bright yellow, color-contrasted truncated domes on top of it, and the edge of the curb is flush with the road surface. There is a slight slope upwards to get up the curb ramp, of about 3-4.2%. To the right of the curb ramp is an informational sign with small-print text, without braille, tactile, digital, or audio alternatives.
After getting on the sidewalk using the curb ramp in the last picture, you want to turn to the left to continue towards the accessible entrance. After turning to the left, the sidewalk remains more than 36 inches wide, but there is a slight upwards slope of about 2.5-3.2% for about 5-8 feet in length. This sidewalk is made of smooth concrete, and you want to continue straight until there is a brick pathway on your right.
Shown is the start of the brick pathway on your right when the sidewalk in the last picture ends. You want to continue past the cart that will be on your right. You can either go to the left of the cart or the right of the cart and the light pole, but first we will show and describe going to the left of the cart. The transition from the smooth red bricks to the smooth gray bricks past the red bricks causes about a 0.25-0.5 inch change in vertical level. There will be a trash can at an accessible height on your left after getting on the gray bricks. The cart will be on your right after passing the trash can, and the front and back of the cart have parts of it that extend more than 12 inches past the edge of the wheels on the ground, however the back of the cart, closer to the visitor center building, is at about 29 inches above the ground with nothing underneath it. We suggest being cautious while navigating around this cart. There are some local newspaper boxes on the left past the car that are at an accessible height and do not require grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist, but may be difficult to operate force-wise for some visitors. Past and above the cart, is a sign that says "ASHLAND" in big color-contrasted letters, without braille or tactile alternatives. There is a pathway that is at least 36 inches wide to get past the trash can, cart, and local newspaper boxes.
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Last updated:
Oct 21, 2022
Click for Directions:
Call:
(804) 752-6766
Busy Hours
This visitor center gets more busy as Amtrak trains are scheduled to stop here, as the train tracks are right next to the visitor center
Tuesday's and Thursday's at 11 AM-1 PM
Friday's at 2-4 PM
Amenities
Step Stool
Portable Ramp
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Accessibility Notes
Staff is friendly, and ready to help however they can. For example, staff can help open and close any doors, help you find quiet areas if needed, etc.
Drawstring bags are available for any free materials or purchases to make carrying items easier.
The Visitor Center is pet friendly but that fact is not advertised.
There are stress balls available in the welcome bags given out.
There are two labeled accessible street parking spaces on the west side of the railroad tracks, along North Railroad Ave, less than 100 feet away from the accessible entrance.
There is no labeled van accessible parking, and the labeled accessible street parking spaces have the access aisle in front of or behind the spaces, not immediately adjacent.
The parking spaces are on a relatively flat surface made of asphalt, with all the appropriate pavement markings and signage for standard accessible spaces.
There are two curb cuts with color contrasted tactile domes, one of which is connected to the shared access aisle for the two accessible spaces.
The route from the accessible parking spaces to the entrance is relatively flat and is only a short distance to the accessible entrance.
There are some benches at accessible heights in front of the building before reaching the door, all with backrests.
The accessible entrance is on the east side of the building, closest to the railroad tracks, although there is no sign directing you to an accessible entrance, with a portable ramp that can be brought out upon request, so the entrance can be made step free. If you need this ramp, you can reach a staff member at (804) 752-6766 so they can set it up for you.
There is also an entrance on the opposite side of the building away from the tracks, but there is an additional 5-inch high curb without a curb ramp in front of this door, and the portable ramp is not ideal for this door.
The accessible entrance door is push to enter and could be fairly heavy for some to open, but the door hardware is at an accessible height and requires grasping to open.
The clear width of the accessible entrance is greater than 36 inches.
Once inside, the main pathways are mostly 36 inches wide with a few exceptions at the various interior doorways which are less than 32 inches wide.
The flooring surface is small square tiles and linoleum type flooring with a slight change in vertical height at the transition between the two surfaces.
There are several places to sit, with seating at an accessible height, and backrests.
Some of the pamphlets or magazines for the different attractions and destinations may be difficult to reach as they are above or below an accessible height, but staff are happy to assist if needed.
The point of sale/service counter is slightly above an accessible height.
Signage is limited, generally, throughout.
The site is typically not too crowded, but can be crowded and noisy when a train passes by, arrives outside, or before a train shows up.
There is a quiet space available in the old ticket counter area, now just used as a display, and this room can be closed off if needed.
When the oil tank is filled downstairs, there can be a strong smell in the building - this is not an everyday occurrence.
None of the windows in the building have shades or blinds because visitors want to be able to see the trains.
Restrooms are generally not accessible. There are two single occupant, gender neutral restrooms in the building that have doorways less than 32 inches wide, less than a 60 inch by 60 inch clear space inside, and only one vertical grab bar on the side wall next to the toilet.
We recommend either asking a staff member where the closest accessible restroom is, or researching ahead of time to find where there is one nearby.
Click the black "Accessibility Test Results" button at the top of this page to view in-depth accessibility metrics for this business!