Lake Eola Accessibility Guide
An iconic and accessible public park in Orlando, FL
Lake Eola is one of the most iconic attractions of downtown Orlando. The fountain is literally on the logo for the city of Orlando. The almost one-mile path around the park offers views of the famous Lake Eola swans and other waterfowl that populate the water and shoreline. The park boasts an amphitheater, beautiful landscaping, swan paddle boats, a playground, restaurants, interesting sculptures and architectural structures, and interactive artwork.
Lake Eola is a popular destination for joggers, photographers, dog enthusiasts, and anyone who enjoys being outdoors within a bustling downtown center.
Lake Eola Accessibility Factors
Parking:
There are four on-street parking spots for those with disabilities: Two on Rosalind Avenue, one on Eola Drive, and one on Central Boulevard. I do not believe any would be easy to use with a side-entry mobility van, and rear-entry may be challenging. There is a parking garage across from the main public library on Central that has some VIP parking spots.
Wheelchair Accessibility:
We found that a majority of the park was accessible. We parked on Central and found a sloped sidewalk to access the paved path around the lake, avoiding the stairs.
Getting close to the shoreline or the waterfowl feeding area was not paved, but we can’t expect someone to pave a shore!
The large playground was completely covered with a rubberized material that was easy to push Hazel over, but unfortunately, none of the playground equipment was accessible (see notes below.)
Parts of the waterfowl feeding area were accessible if you’re able to roll/push over packed dirt and mulch.
When we arrived at the famous swan boat area, we inquired about a wheelchair-accessible boat (I thought they had one.) The staff was very friendly and eager to accommodate. They told us that they did not have an accessible swan boat at the moment but pointed to the dock construction and mentioned that part of this work was making the docks ready for an accessible swan boat! The staff person asked me to email her to be notified when accessible swan boats were available. Exciting stuff.
In my email to this staff person, I also asked if I could request the city consider adding accessible playground equipment. I was copied over to the planner, who sent me a thorough email about the city’s plan for accessible playgrounds (see below.)
Changing Areas:
We checked out the women’s restroom and found that there was only an infant changing table in the common area of the bathroom. There was one accessible stall. I appreciate that a public park has a bathroom, but let’s be honest: no one really wants to have to use a public park bathroom.
My dad checked out the men’s room and reported that it had an infant changing table in the common area—points for gender equality!
Temperature:
The park has no air-conditioned buildings, but a few restaurants surround the perimeter if a food or water break is necessary. There is ample shade provided by large oak trees surrounding the park. The public library is also a block away if the temperature or precipitation chases you indoors.
Noise:
Since the entire park is outdoors, I don’t think that noise would be much of a problem. Music may be played at various stages or at the amphitheater during festivals or special events. I do not recall the music being at uncomfortable levels, but if music can be bothersome, you may want to check before you go. Also, music was being played through speakers at a reasonable level during our weekday stroll around the lake.
Crowds:
The farmer’s market at Lake Eola on Sundays is a very crowded and chaotic affair. While we’d love to support this venture, we have had trouble with parking, navigating our wheelchair through crowds, and overstimulation during the markets. If crowds are too stimulating, you may want to avoid Sundays at Lake Eola, as well as any special events. (Although, you cannot miss Make ‘m Smile, the biggest event celebrating VIPs each spring at Lake Eola. The heat and crowds are worth the inclusion!)
Notes:
After I emailed the city regarding accessible playground equipment, I received a detailed response from a park planner with the City of Orlando. Here are the highlights from the email:
“We have tried to add an accessible swing to the Lake Eola playground but discovered that we need more space to make it work. A recent master plan for Lake Eola shows a much bigger and more inclusive playground. See page 92 of this document. These improvements are not scheduled yet, but this is our opportunity to really make the Lake Eola playground very special. We are also working on a city-wide master plan for our Families, Parks, and Recreation Department and are looking for feedback as we work to make Orlando a city for everyone.”
Thanks, Orlando, for all of the information and inclusion consideration. We now have many more places to visit with Our Exceptional Travel!
Accessibility Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
There is adequate, but not abundant, parking for VIPs, but I feel bad about docking points anywhere downtown for parking. It will almost always be a challenge in such a compact area. The entire perimeter of the park is paved, making it an easy push from the car and around the whole lake. The ground of the play area was completely flat/paved, but the equipment was not yet inclusive. I do give Orlando points for adding inclusive play areas to their master plan!
I hope the new master plan incorporates ideas for family or more accessible bathrooms. I emailed the city planner to ask and was given a new contact.
I give Lake Eola three and a half stars for its accessibility. I can’t dock a public park for not being air-conditioned, and the park is large enough to avoid crowds and noise. There is adequate shade, and I believe there are misting stations in the heat of summer. I commend the City of Orlando for making efforts at broader inclusivity, and I hope that the master plan becomes more than a PDF soon.
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