Building Wheelchair Accessible Raised Garden Beds

D O W L I N G C O M M U N I T Y G A R D E N address DOWLING COMMUNITY GARDEN, PO BOX 6757, MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55406 telephone 651. 255. 6607 web WWW. DOWLINGCOMMUNITYGARDEN. ORG Project Description Four raised gardening beds, each 12’ x 5’ and 24” high (height... More

D O W L I N G C O M M U N I T Y G A R D E N address DOWLING COMMUNITY GARDEN, PO BOX 6757, MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55406 telephone 651. 255. 6607 web WWW. DOWLINGCOMMUNITYGARDEN. ORG Project Description Four raised gardening beds, each 12’ x 5’ and 24” high (height suitable for wheelchair users) with 4’ wide structural pathways around beds on all sides. Beds were built in fall 2000; in spring 2001, pathways were installed to allow easy wheelchair access. Beds are filled with a mixture of topsoil and compost. Water is supplied by a gravity-feed barrel that sits atop one of the beds and an attached hose; barrel is kept filled by volunteers. An on-site compost bin is provided, and emptied at the end of the season by volunteers. Materials For the Raised Beds: • Recycled composite decking (12’ x 6” x 1”), 12 boards per bed (ChoiceDek was used; other brands are available, see resources list) • 24” slotted angle irons, 4 per bed • 2. 5” metal corner braces, 8 per bed • 36” u-posts, 8 per bed • 1 Less