This year, we encourage gifts through One Day One KU in support of our efforts to increase the physical accessibility of the KU Field Station, which our research center has managed since 1998.

Our key accessibility goal is to purchase one or more all-terrain wheelchairs, which would enable more people to comfortably access trails, uneven roads and other areas of the Field Station when they visit with groups that are on foot. This would greatly ease the inclusion of more researchers, students in field-based classes, and visitors taking part in scheduled programs.

The University’s biological field station opened in 1947. It covers three sites and 3,200 acres, with the core research area just 20 minutes from main campus. The Field Station is a resource for the KU community, other institutions and the public. It includes five miles of public trails.

We’ve made good progress on accessibility at the KU Field Station. For example:

• The Armitage Education Center — the central multipurpose building at the core research area — is heavily used by visitors and highly accessible, with all spaces (hearth room, classroom, kitchen, laboratories) at ground level and ADA-compliant restrooms.
• The research greenhouse is ADA-compliant and connected to the Armitage Center via a paved path.
• A newly constructed 4,200-square-foot facility to support research and field station management is also ADA-compliant.
• Walkways at the popular KU Native Medicinal Plant Research Garden, south of the core research area, are an ADA-compliant fine gravel.
• The Rockefeller Prairie Trail is paved and wheelchair-accessible. This is a half-mile out-and-back trail with a turnaround point at the Kaw Valley Overlook deck, where there is a spectacular view of KU campus. The trail is accessible from a parking lot.

We deeply appreciate your gift to help make the KU Field Station open for all to enjoy.