Louisiana Wildlife Park Unveils Access Upgrades

Ramp for boarding covered wagons
Photo by Charles Pannell

Sometimes access starts with simple things. For Global Wildlife Center in Folsom, Louisiana, it all started with a suggestion from a guest. The guest suggested that there were ways to make Global Wildlife's covered wagon safaris accessible to wheelchair-users. A board member listened, investigated, and learned about access. He even went out and photographed some ramps. The end result? A ramp was built, and today wheelchair-users can roll right on to the covered wagons at Global Wildlife Center. In fact, this is the first summer that visitors to Global Wildlife Center can enjoy this unique access upgrade.

So what's so unique about this access upgrade? I mean people put in ramps every day, right? Well, yes and no. In short, it's not that easy to make a covered wagon accessible. Furthermore, Global Wildlife Center wasn't required by law to make their covered wagons accessible. They did it because they saw the need, and because they wanted everybody to be able to enjoy their covered wagon safaris.

Global Wildlife is home to a multitude of animals, and their covered wagon safaris are indeed unique. You'll find zebras, camels, bison, wildebeest, giraffes and several species of deer roaming freely throughout this 900 acre wildlife park. And the best way to learn about the animal residents is to take a covered wagon safari tour. These informative tours give visitors an up close and personal look at the wildlife. And in keeping with Global Wildlife's philosophy to foster personal interaction with their animal residents; visitors are also encouraged to feed, pet and touch the animals. Yes, that's right you can actually feed the animals -- right from the covered wagons! It's a great experience for kids, and a "must-do" for animal lovers of all ages. And, thanks to the hard work of the Global Wildlife Center staff, the covered wagons are now accessible to everybody.

Animals at Global Wildlife Center
Photo by Charles Pannell

Global Wildlife Center is located approximately one hour east of Baton Rouge and one hour north of New Orleans. Take I-12 to exit 47, and turn right (north) on 445. Travel 11 miles to Hwy. 40 East, and turn right. Global Wildlife Center is located approximately 1 1/2 miles on the left side of the road at 26389 Hwy. 40. For more information visit www.globalwildlife.com or call (504)624-WILD.

Global Wildlife Center is located in St. Tammany parish in southern Louisiana, just 28 miles from New Orleans. You'll also find swamp tours, accessible trails, small towns, great food and family fun in St. Tammany parish.

Subscribers read more about St. Tammany Parish in the Spring 2001 issue of Emerging Horizons.