Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary
Accessibility at Pleasant Valley
Mass Audubon strives to create a welcoming presence for a wide range of visitors, including making our sanctuaries and nature centers more accessible for all to enjoy.
What to Expect When You Visit
Are you preparing to visit us with your children or a group of students, including those with special needs? If so, we encourage you to review this step-by-step photo tour (Social Story) of Pleasant Valley that shows you what to expect!
Accessible Features
Program Barn & Education Center
Our two main buildings feature ADA-compliant parking, entrance, admission area, educational activity spaces, and restrooms.
Restrooms
Fully accessible restrooms are located in the new addition to the Program Barn. Additional accessible restrooms are available seasonally in the Education Center.
All Persons Trail
Pleasant Valley’s All Persons Trail is surfaced with crushed stone and 425 feet (130 meters) of boardwalk. There is one brief segment with a post-and-rope guide approaching the Pike’s Pond boardwalk. The slope ranges from 0-7% grade. Eight interpretive stops pass through a variety of habitats and explore the ways that Pleasant Valley is always changing. Nine benches or multi-use seating areas are spaced at regular intervals and two picnic areas are available on unsurfaced areas near the trail.
Distance
The trail is 0.4 miles (0.6 km) one-way, or 0.8 miles (1.3 km) out-and-back. The slope ranges from 0-7% grade. It typically takes an estimated 45-60 minutes to experience this self-guided tour, but that will vary with your travel mode, pace, and resting time.
Features
- Self-guided tour with eight interpretive stops all labelled in raised print and braille, some with tactile display items
- Nine multi-use seating areas
- Viewing boardwalk overlooking Pike’s Pond, an active wildlife habitat
- Picnic and Nature Play areas
Resources
You may experience the trail in your own way, or follow the interpretive tour, which is available in these formats:
- Trail map handout
- Printed self-guided tour booklet to borrow on site or to download/print before your visit
- Self-guided tour booklet you can customize and print for font, size, and color combination
- Self-guided tour booklet in braille with a tactile trail map to borrow on site
- Self-guided tour in audio format to download on your own device or use on our audio player
- A QR code is included on the signs at the eight interpretive stops, for you to access the written or audio tour content
Self-Guided Audio Tour
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We also have these items available for you to borrow during your visit:
- GRIT Freedom Chair
- All-terrain Rollator
- Seat Cane
- Victor Reader audio player for the self-guided tour
- Binoculars
If you have questions about trail conditions, available tour materials, or mobility equipment available for your use, please call Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary at 413-637-0320 or email us at [email protected].
Learn more about Mass Audubon's accessibility work.
Thank You
This project was made possible thanks to the generosity of individual donors as well as the Jane and Jack Fitzpatrick Trust, The Feigenbaum Foundation, and the Town of Lenox Community Preservation Funds.
Trail Conditions
Trail surfaces at Pleasant Valley vary and are also affected by weather conditions. Please call the office at 413-637-0320 for guidance and updated information on the condition of our accessible trails.