🦊 Neurodiverse-Friendly Animal Adventures

Zoo New England has partnered with KultureCity to make Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo sensory inclusive. This new initiative will promote an accommodating and positive experience for all guests with sensory processing needs.

Zoo New England has partnered with KultureCity to make Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo sensory inclusive. This new initiative will promote an accommodating and positive experience for all guests with sensory processing needs.

Southwick’s Zoo has partnered with the Autism Alliance of Metrowest to help us better accommodate guests with sensory processing needs and to provide a welcoming and inclusive experience for guests of all abilities. The Zoo will open an hour early on select days for guests looking for a sensory-friendly opportunity to visit the zoo and enjoy a quieter atmosphere and environment. Visit the website to see dates and times. Sensory bags and social stories are also available!

The Trustees have partnered with Autism Alliance to make Weir River Farm an Autism Welcoming and sensory responsive business to better serve individuals with autism and their families and caregivers! As a sensory responsive property, Weir River Farm now offers calm kits with noise-reducing headphones as well as visual story guides that can be viewed online before the trip to give people with autism a preview of what to expect at the farm. Some programs will now see limited admission at certain times to reduce crowds and noise. Sensory-friendly Open Barnyard enables individuals with autism and their families to come for a special hour from 1-2PM during which time admission will be limited to 20 people and closed to the general public. Families will have an opportunity to experience life on a real working farm, meet ponies, llamas, and a pot-bellied pig, and enjoy a StoryWalk in the fields.