World on Wheels Home Page

By Mark Probert

Click here to see Mark's report on Shea Stadium.

NJ Meadowlands:

The Meadowlands can be reached from NYC via a bus from the Port Authority Bus terminal on 8th Avenue. The fare is around $6.50.

Giants Stadium is fully accessible from Gates B and D. While pushing a chair up one one of the helix's is a chore for most people, assistance is there for the asking.

The wheelchair section is behind the field seats, at the end of the field which is opposite the tunnel where the teams run out. They provide a very comfortable folding chair for the 'attendant'. (She's chair need work--lot's
of work.)

We attend through a program where my son receives up to six passes a year. We travel by bus from Long Island, or, on occasion, take the LIRR into NYC
and take the Port Authority Bus.

Food is pricey, but you can bring your own...just eat most of it before the game.

The bathrooms are equipped just like Shea. However, since my wife does not dofootball, we have had to improvise for changing. I usually find a maintenance worker who unlocks their little room, and use a towel on the floor. It seems to work well. Just a heck of a lot of work.

If you attend in the summer months, inspect repellent is more important than food. If you omit this, you will be the food. 'Meadowlands' is New Jerseyian for 'swamp.'

Brooklyn Cyclones

Last year was the first season of the Brooklyn Cyclones (named after the ride) with a new ball park in Coney Island. Coney Island is accessible by subway, but, we drove.

We arrived early, as I had hopes of going to the beach. My family has a long history in the area (sine 1910) and we still maintain a strong affinity for the beach.

There were no walkways making the beach accessible once you hit the sand. Dragging a chair through the sand is one form of exercise that I do not cherish.

The Boardwalk is fully accessible and has a ramp from the subway, aquarium and Cyclones field. Some of the rides are useful to people in wheelchairs.

So, we aborted the trip to the water and headed toward the aquarium where we had no problems. We followed that with some rides, and dinner at Nathan's. One of my friends when I was growing up was Nathan's grandson.

I suggest that you eat at Nathan's before attending a game. They sell Nathan's hot dogs at the stadium, but they use Shea Stadium prices.

The Cyclones field was excellent, and, with my wife in attendance, we had no trouble changing, etc. Seating was behind every section, and reserved for wheelchairs.

Nassau Coliseum

The Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, NY, needs help. While the staff is very helpful, the seating is poor, with the person in the wheelchair required to sit in front of their travelling companions. It does not feel 'friendly'.

Hofstra University.

If you are in NY when there is an event at Hofstra, make your plans to attend. The school is very accessible, and, I have been told it should be the standard. The stadiums are fully accessible, as is every building.

Mitchel Field Athletic Complex

Thanks to Ted Turner and the 1998 Goodwill Games, this is a world class, fully accessible, athletic complex for track & field as well as soccer, etc.

Hofstra and Mitchel Field are accessible from NYC via the Hempstead Line of the LIRR and a short bus ride. All nassau County MSBA buses are accessible.