HOW ACCESSIBLE ARE THE
PLACES AROUND US?

Parks are more than just green spaces. They are places where people exercise, unwind, connect with nature, spend time with loved ones and take a break from the demands of everyday life. They support health, well-being and create opportunities for social connection.

But can everyone enjoy these spaces equally? When we think about accessible parks, wheelchair-friendly entrances and ramps often come to mind. While these are essential, accessibility goes far beyond wheelchair access. A person with visual impairment may need tactile pathways to navigate independently. Someone with mobility limitations may need wide, unobstructed pathways, accessible parking and spaces to rest.

Accessibility is not a single feature. It is about ensuring that people with different abilities and needs can access, navigate and experience public spaces independently and with dignity.

Data from the Yes to Access app reveals an interesting contrast in Bengaluru’s parks. While 80% of valid responses indicate pathways at least 90 cm wide and 72.2% indicate step-free entrances, tactile accessibility remains limited. Only 19% report tactile pathways in approach areas, while approximately 22% report tactile paving at entrances and along internal routes.

Parking accessibility also presents a gap: only 29.6% of valid responses indicate the availability of accessible parking spaces, although 82.4% indicate that parking or the pavement is close to the entrance.

These findings remind us that making a park accessible is not simply about making it possible to enter. It is about making the entire experience accessible, from reaching the park to moving around, navigating and enjoying the space. Because everyone deserves a place to pause, play, connect and belong.