The Jimmy Beech House: A Wheelchair-Accessible Mount Rainier Retreat

Located just five miles from the Nisqually Entrance to Mount Rainier National Park (emerginghorizons.com/barrier-free-travel-washington-national-parks-for-wheelers-and-slow-walkers/#itins), the Jimmy Beech House (www.jimmybeechhouse.com/) offers all the comforts of home — and then some. Renovated by local artists Jana and Rick Gardiner, this former home of the local bush pilot gets top marks for both design and accessibility.

Although not originally built to be wheelchair-accessible, access upgrades were added during the Gardiner’s multi-year renovation project. As Jana puts it, “Since there weren’t any wheelchair-accessible rental homes in Ashford, we just decided to embrace access and make the Jimmy Beech House a welcoming place for everybody.” And with a wheelchair-user friend who acted as their access advisor, they even managed to incorporate the little things  — things that are often missed — into the final design.

A Comfortable Retreat

There’s plenty of room to park an adapted van in the driveway at the Jimmy Beech House, with level access to the front door. Inside there’s excellent pathway access throughout the spacious unit, which is decorated with art that highlights the natural beauty of the Mount Rainier National Park area. Access features include wide doorways, lever handles and wood floors for easy rolling. Add in some large picture windows, a bevy of wood accents, and a fireplace with an artistic rock hearth, and you have a very homey — and accessible — place to hang your hat.

The great room is furnished with a  large sectional and an easy chair grouped around the fireplace, a dining table with chair and bench seating, and a lowered bar with four bar stools. The adjacent kitchen includes a refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, two microwaves (including one that’s lowered) and a roll-under sink. It’s equipped with all the basics, and includes just about every utensil and small appliance — from a crock pot to a waffle maker — that you could possible need. Truly it’s a chef’s delight. And there’s also a washer and dryer tucked into a nook around the corner.

The master bedroom is furnished with a 23-inch high open-frame king-sized bed with wheelchair-access on both sides. The adjacent bathroom — which was dubbed “the car wash” by Jana’s contractor — was custom designed and includes a large roll-in shower with a fold-down shower bench (located near the controls), grab bars and a hand-held showerhead. Other access features include a toilet with grab bars on the back and right sides (as seated), a lowered make-up mirror and a roll-under sink. There’s also a standard hall bathroom that includes a tub with a hand-held showerhead, a toilet and a sink.

The Little Extras

The second bedroom is furnished with two 23-inch high open-framed queen sized beds, with wheelchair-access between them. Wide French doors lead out to the comfortable back patio, which is furnished with some Adirondack chairs. Thoughtful touches like a threshold ramp make the outdoor space as welcoming as the indoor space.

And there are more extras. The former garage has been converted to a game room that’s furnished with a wheelchair-accessible pool table. And even though there’s a five-inch step down to the room, there’s also a portable ramp for wheelchair-access. If you’re not in the mood for pool, there’s also a large selection of games and books available.

The home is also equipped with a large screen porch that has a dining table and four chairs, as well as some casual seating. There’s also level access to the back patio from the screen porch. Access throughout the outside area is excellent, and it’s furnished with a hot tub with steps and a railing, a fire circle and a gas BBQ. Jana even incorporated some of her own access ideas into the design — like the 21-inch high transfer tables for sunning or star-gazing.

Says Jana, “I realize that people with disabilities have a variety of different needs, so I tried to make the home as versatile as possible.” And to say that she did a good job would be a huge understatement. Top it off with the little extras like the makings for s’mores, and you have the perfect home base for a Mount Rainier National Park visit.