The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Shangri La Gardens is proud to announce a new offering during their annual Christmas Strolls; a Senior, Mobility Friendly and Sensory Sensitivity Hour will be held on Tuesday evenings from 5-6 p.m. Guests with mobility challenges and sensory sensitivities, as well as their caregivers and families, are invited to enjoy Christmas at Shangri La Gardens during a special hour. Admission to Shangri La Gardens is free of charge.

"This hour is designed to eliminate the stress of crowds and navigation for our guests with mobility challenges and sensory sensitivities," said Angie Mason, executive director at Shangri La. "This provides a more sensory friendly atmosphere to view the lights at dusk without music. Dusk also provides improved driving visibility for our seniors that are traveling on those evenings to Shangri La."

In addition to the Senior, Mobility Friendly and Sensory Sensitivity Hour, Shangri La has implemented other accessibility measures into the gardens. The popular Children's Garden space has been closed to the public this fall while undergoing a renovation project to create wheelchair and stroller friendly walkways.

Guests with mobility challenges are encouraged to utilize the passenger drop-off area at the front entrance, as well as bring their wheelchairs, walkers and other mobility devices. There are free wheelchairs available for use on-site for guests that do not have their own. Throughout the entirety of Christmas Strolls, all of the parking spaces located near the main entrance will be converted into handicap parking.

"It is our hope that this hour provides a comfortable space for these guests to arrive early and enjoy the lights. To honor our friends, we ask the public to respect this time set aside especially for our guests with disabilities," said Mason. "We look forward to providing merriment this holiday season to our seniors, sensory sensitive guests and their families."

Christmas Strolls open to the public on December 5, with the final day to visit on December 22. The general public may visit Christmas Strolls on Tuesday through Saturday from 6-9 p.m., with the last entrance at 8:30 p.m. Shangri La is closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Shangri La Gardens and Nature Center is located at 2111 West Park Avenue in Orange, Texas. For more information about Christmas Strolls, please visit shangrilagardens.org.