Join me as I take you through a day around the Nickel Plate District in downtown Fishers, from a wheelchair users' point of view. I will cover the accessibility experience as an ambulatory wheelchair user.  I will take you through arrival to exiting and everything in between!

One of the things I quickly noticed about downtown Fishers, IN, is that there is no shortage of free public parking. Clearly marked, there are several parking garages within a short distance of one another. It was so easy to find, and the garages were each close to shopping and nearby restaurants. One feature that I really liked that I saw, was at least one of the garages had a digital sign at the entrance showing not only how many spaces were currently available, but also how many accessible spaces were currently available. There is also some free street parking that is available around the Nickel Plate District, and bonus, it is not parallel parking.

Accessible entrance to Fishers Art Center and City Hall (top) (left)

Depot parking garage signage noting available spaces (left) (right)

Getting Around

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I found the Fishers downtown area to be wonderfully accessible. A lot of the Fishers downtown area is new, so it makes sense that it was built with more accessibility than a historical downtown area.  As a wheelchair user, this is something I have really come to appreciate and helps me feel safe and independent when exploring a downtown area. The sidewalks were smooth and easy to maneuver and the curbs flat and easy to get on when crossing the streets.

I started my time in downtown Fishers at Java House. There is one accessible parking  space located close to their entrance, which I was lucky enough to score that day. That made for an easy entrance. While not a large place, there was plenty of room for my wheelchair without feeling cramped, and they also had a nice accessible restroom and several tables that a wheelchair can easily pull up to.

Some other restaurants in the area are Four Day Ray Brewing, which has an accessible ramp at the entrance. I know from dining there in the past, they have an elevator for seating on the second floor as well. Other restaurants that I noticed had a flat accessible entrance were Tiburon Coastal Cuisine, Le Macaron French Pastries, Max & Tilly’s Classic British Fare, and Samano’s Mexican Food, to name a few.

NPD Amphitheater

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Located in the heart of the Nickel Plate District is the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater. This includes a large stage where various outdoor concerts take place during the warmer months. There is plenty of wide open sidewalk to get around in that area. There are also several accessible parking spaces in the vicinity of the amphitheater, but if you cannot get one of those, the parking garages are not far away. There are several tables set up in the area as well that you could come on any sunny day and just enjoy that area.

Public Restrooms

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There was a public restroom located near the amphitheater. There were accessible buttons on the door to get in. There was not one to open the restroom door itself, however the door was extremely light, so I was able to push it open and maneuver my wheelchair at the same time. Once inside, there was an accessible stall large enough for my wheelchair.

Fishers Art Center

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The Fishers Art Center is free and open Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (those hours can vary if a class is in session). While I was not able to visit on the day I was in downtown Fishers, I made sure to check it out. There are accessible buttons on the outside doors which makes entering quite easy. There is a variety of art to check out there, as well as art classes you can sign up for. Something that stuck out to me when browsing their website, was statement that reads “The Fishers Art Center’s mission is to provide accessible and inclusive art experiences that inspire creativity, educate, engage, and enrich our community.” As a disabled person, it means a lot to see a statement like that on a business of any kind. It provides a safe and welcoming feeling.

Accessible ramp on the Nickel Plate Trail (top) (left)

Paved paths around the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater (left) (right)

Nickel Plate Trail

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The Nickel Plate Trail goes through the middle of downtown Fishers and beyond. I was able to find easy access to get onto the trail from the downtown area. There was a large ramp that led up to the trail and an open area with benches and swings. It was a nice spot to just sit and enjoy the weather. I exited the trail at the Nickel Plate Hotel. I went in to check out the lobby of this beautiful new hotel. The entrance was flat and very accessible. Once inside there was a restaurant and bar that were also easy to get to. I plan to go back to enjoy more of that beautiful space.

Fishers Public Library

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The Hamilton East Public Library is a place I have visited in the past and found to be very accessible. On their website they talk about a large variety of options for sensory inclusion including sensory bags and weighted lap pads that are available for use while there. There is also a wheelchair on site that is available upon request. They offer a curbside service to pick up library books if you are unable to walk in. A unique service they provide, is that they will deliver books for free, to those unable to leave their homes due to age, illness or injury. For more on this service, you can contact the Noblesville Library at 317-770-3215.

Downtown Fishers is a wonderful place to visit with no shortage of accessible things to experience. There is still a lot of new construction happening in the downtown area, so I am sure over the next few years it will continue to develop. The way it is going, I am hopeful that it will continue to be inclusive place for all to enjoy. It is exceedingly rare for me to visit a downtown area, and not at some point feel frustrated at the lack of accessibility excluding me from certain places. During my time in Fishers, I never once felt that frustration, which speaks volumes. Kudos to downtown Fishers. I would highly recommend for an accessible outing.