Accessible Hayrides Now Available At Blackberry Farm In Aurora

AURORA, IL — If you're looking to find an accessible hayride this fall season, you can head to Aurora's Blackberry Farms, which recently added a hay wagon that is wheelchair accessible and ADA-compliant. The hay wagon, equipped with a hydraulic lift, was designed by the Fox Valley Park District's Operations West Maintenance team.

Guests who use wheelchairs can ride up a small ramp onto the side-loading hydraulic lift to get onto the wagon. The wooden hay wagon itself is set up with four anchors to help keep wheelchairs in place.

Those who attend the hayride with riders who use a wheelchair can sit on wooden benches that are set up in the front of the wagon.

West Maintenance Supervisor Jimmy Schmidt came up with the idea for the accessible hayride after he came across a chair lift that was not being used. It took Schmidt and his team about 10 weeks to finish the project.

"One thing that really got me going with the lift idea is that I know it would be so rewarding for disabled individuals to enjoy the hayride just like anyone else. And kids, especially, are just ecstatic when they’re included. Even if they’re non-verbal, you can still see and feel their excitement," Schmidt said in an article from Fox Valley Park District.

The accessible hay wagon will make its debut on Sept. 26 during an event for local special needs groups. The first official ADA-compliant hayrides will be available starting Oct. 5.