Written by Barbara & Jim Twardowski for AccessibleGo, June, 2022
All across the country, public gardens create a magical environment where guests can easily connect with nature. During the spring and summer months, many gardens are bursting with blooms and the sound of music. From symphony orchestras to a solo headliner, there’s an eclectic lineup of musical concerts. Whether you visit a garden near home or while traveling, live music elevates the venue. Musical concerts are hugely popular—so buy your ticket early. Here’s a sampling of gardens hosting performances in 2022.
Brookville Zoo
Illinois
An accredited arboretum, the Brookfield in Chicago boasts more than 100 types of trees. Download the online map and see how many you can spot along the trails. Wildlife lives in naturalistic exhibits at this 216-acre nature park.
Twilight Tunes brings hot bands to the garden every Friday and Saturday evening in July. Tickets are required.
The zoo strives to accommodate every visitor. A 24-page online Guest Accessibility Guide provides information on a range of topics from mobility devices available for rent and policies regarding service dogs, to arranging for an ASL interpreter and care kits for guests with sensory disabilities. The tram and carousel can accommodate wheelchairs.
Naples Botanical Garden
Florida
The second Saturday of each month (January-June) local musicians perform with a lush backdrop of palms and colorful aquatic collections at the Water Garden stage. Stroll through a Caribbean Garden, a Brazilian Garden, and an Asian Garden. Located just a few miles from downtown, the Naples Botanical Garden encompasses 170-acres.
Accessible paths run through all cultivated gardens to the Birding Tower. Wheelchairs may be borrowed for free. Scooters are rented for $14 per day. Both are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
Iowa
The wheelchair-accessible Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden delights the senses. Music in the Garden happens every Thursday at 6 pm from June 16 until September 29. Held on an oval lawn, musicians perform beside a 220-foot long wall of colorful hydrangeas, butterfly bushes, and hundreds of flowers. Attendees bring their own folding chairs or picnic blankets. The Trellis Cafe sells grilled items. The gorgeous downtown garden features formal and informal horticulture in a 10-acre urban setting.