Tips for getting elderly mom to Yankee Stadium archived

I'm taking my 82 year old mom and my 2 sons (10 and 6) to tomorrow nights Yankee game. Neither one of us have never been. We have tickets on the first base line in the first level. Any advice in getting there from West Orange? She wants to be there in time to get a cap for cap day. She does have a handicapped parking permit. Will that help? She doesn't use a wheelchair, but does use a cane. I fear she won't be able to handle public transport.

Thanks for any help!

I know nothing about Yankee stadium, but I have a couple of thoughts. Does she ever use a walker? I would strongly recommend taking it and asking her to use it. She might get much more tired than usual from the higher level of exertion. My 86-year-old mother hates taking the walker anywhere, and wants to use her cane and lean on someone's arm instead, but the walker provides so much more support and stability, and if your mother's walker is like my mother's, it even has a seat that can be used in a pinch when she gets tired.

I would imagine the handicapped parking permit could only help, although with my Mom it's best to get as close to the entrance door as possible and let her out there with someone who can help while someone else parks the car. I guess my suggestion there is to make sure you have TWO adult helpers with her, not just one. I don't think your sons are going to be enough help... can you take another adult, too?

I say all this not knowing how strong your mother is or what her energy levels might be, but I know it would have been very hard for my mother at 82. So take my advice with a grain of salt, depending on your mother's individual abilities.

I hope you have a terrific day!

I just googled Handdicapped Parking at Yankee Stadium. There were several paid ads with a header to the effect that you can reserve parking in advance. And, here is a link to the Yankee web-site with a whole page on Guide for guests with Disabilities:
http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/nyy/ballpark/information/index.jsp?content=disabled

I've never driven there, so I'm not much help. However, I do recall that for night games the area around the stadium was very well lit. I left my last game there early so I could look for my car service (it was a corporate event) and it wasn't that hectic, so leaving the game early may be easier for her to navigate.

Have fun!

FYI, NJ handicapped permits are NOT valid in NYC. That is, NYC does not recognize any other handicapped parking permits other that their own. Even NYS permits , from what I understand. NYC issues its own hc parking permits.

SuzanneNg said:

FYI, NJ handicapped permits are NOT valid in NYC. That is, NYC does not recognize any other handicapped parking permits other that their own. Even NYS permits , from what I understand. NYC issues its own hc parking permits.

However, in googling to find more info, it seems that off street handicapped parking, like at the mall or stadium, is available to those with blue state issued tags.

http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/motorist/pppdinfo.shtml

Since it says the state issued tag is valid in all 50 states, I would expect reciprocity.

Is it affordable for you to use a car service? Note that traffic after the game is HORRENDOUS.

With car service traffic will still be horrendous. Just relax and take your time leaving. Usually most of the traffic has cleared up within 30 minutes after the game. Larger traffic issue is the construction on the ramps to the GW Bridge but once you get past that it is still usually faster than the other options.

mbaldwin said:

Is it affordable for you to use a car service? Note that traffic after the game is HORRENDOUS.

I was just thinking the same thing. At least it would spare you the insanity of the parking lot and getting your mother to the car, assuming the car service can just drive up to the curb to get you all.

Flashaccountant said:

With car service traffic will still be horrendous. Just relax and take your time leaving. Usually most of the traffic has cleared up within 30 minutes after the game. Larger traffic issue is the construction on the ramps to the GW Bridge but once you get past that it is still usually faster than the other options.

Yup, but you can get dropped off very close to the entrance and exits.

Exactly.

Maybe call the ticket office as well as the employees there may have ideas on how best to handle the situation. Also, leave early, really early so as to insure enough time for your mom to get her cap. Having a happy mom and kids with caps makes the wait for game time much more enjoyable, plus you can watch the team warmup and stuff. If you are close enough, bring a marker and maybe someone will sign a cap for your mom and/or your boys.

Enjoy the game!

I brought my 88 year old grandmother to Yankee Stadium two years ago and it was an amazing experience we will both remember for the rest of our lives. The stadium staff was remarkably accommodating and did everything they could to make the experience special for her (including keeping monument park open a few minutes longer than scheduled so she could visit all the statues). Very cool.

As others have said, leave lots of time (during rush hour it can easily take 1.5 hours to get to the stadium from Maplewood via the GW Bridge). If your seats are on the first base side of the stadium, I recommend parking in the Ruppert Plaza garage. It's right across the street from the stadium and there is an elevator if you don't park on street level. It's a couple of hundred yards from the parking to the stadium, but you won't be on crowded streets. There are a lot of steps to get from street level to the stadium, but I believe ramps are available as well. To get to the garage, take the first Yankee Stadium exit off the Major Deegan (87) south, and stay right at the fork. At the traffic light make a left and drive straight about 500 yards; the parking lot entrance will be right in front of you. I'd leave your handicap tag out so you can show it to the attendants. Even if you can't park in a handicap spot, I bet they will do everything they can to get you close to the stadium (the lot isn't very crowded these days...)

The stadium itself is remarkably handicap accessible. If you're on the first level there will be no steps once inside. There are tons of food options throughout the stadium, and many on the first base side on the main level. Bathrooms are plentiful as well and all handicapped accessible. If your mom has a wheelchair that she's willing to use, you can push her up the ramp near the right field foulpole to the Yankees Museum - lot's of cool stuff to see there before the game.

I'd suggest leaving at the end of the 8th inning so that you don't get caught in the rush to the parking lot at the end of the game. Getting out of the parking lot is simple and will lead you right onto the Major Deegan north and the GW Bridge. Traffic will be lousy so be patient and you'll get home safe. ENJOY!

bradg said:

I recommend parking in the Ruppert Plaza garage. It's right across the street from the stadium and there is an elevator if you don't park on street level. It's a couple of hundred yards from the parking to the stadium, but you won't be on crowded streets. There are a lot of steps to get from street level to the stadium, but I believe ramps are available as well.

That seems like a lot of walking for a woman her mother's age, but I don't have a lot of experience with the elderly.

It is a lot of walking - no doubt. But in my experience I haven't found better alternatives. If a wheelchair is available, I'd certainly recommend using it for the evening.

It just isn't like a suburban stadium where you can park inside the grounds and walk from handicapped area a few feet to an entrance. Parking is in garages, all a bit away. There is a lot across the street or so but not exactly sure which one. It will either mean driving, dropping her off close to the entrance (which is possible) & then driving to a nearby garage. I would imagine this will be easy enough there especially if you go early but a bit of a nightmare with one-ways, crowds and traffic on the way out.

Honestly, I'd go public transportation. Elevator to platform from SO/ M. Elevators in Penn to subway platform and an elevator when you exit at the stadium. It will be a few blocks walk from subway pay stop to entrance and will be really crowded on way out.

There are no great ways to do this but is sounds like such a wonderful day. My grandmother loved " her boys" and was always thrilled when she went to a game.

borrow a wheel chair or call the stadium and see if they have one you can borrow. with the crowds and the walking it's too much. i have been dreaming of taking my dad to one more game - he is a lifetime yankee fan, worked at the stadium as a young teen - but is 93 with advanced ALS...he still watches every game on tv and wears his yankee cap.

pageturn said:

borrow a wheel chair or call the stadium and see if they have one you can borrow. with the crowds and the walking it's too much.

That's what I was thinking...would make it so much easier.

I wonder if it's possible to drop her off on the 3rd base side (Macombs Dam Bridge rd.). There no steps to get into the stadium at that point. Then you can go park in the garage and meet her.

Also, I don't know how good you are driving in the city, but you can avoid the whole Deegan bit after the game by taking Macombs Dam Bridge into Manhattan and crossing over to the West Side Hwy, then up to the GW Bridge. It has saved me considerable amounts of time sitting in traffic post-game.

Carolanne, just sent you a PM!

Like others have said, you should seek out one the many employees holding the "How May I Help You?" signs. A nice thing about the new Stadium and other new parks is that there is much more of an emphasis on customer service. While your seats sound like they might be in the waitress section, they'll be able to tell you the nearest location for accessible facilities.

My parents (still in their 60s without trouble getting around) went to some weekday afternoon day with discount senior pricing. The staff went out of their way to help them and upgraded them to some excellent accessible seats, even though they wouldn't have had any problem getting into the cheaper ones they paid for.

I don't know if there's time, but for $10, you could have a message welcoming your mother (and your sons) put on the scoreboard between innings.
http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/nyy/ballpark/stadium_messages.jsp

I'm sure you'll all have a wonderful time--and bring home a win!

I have a very light foldable wheelchair that sits in my basement except when I'm lending it to MOLers. PM me if you'd like to take it for the day.

mbaldwin said:

pageturn said:

borrow a wheel chair or call the stadium and see if they have one you can borrow. with the crowds and the walking it's too much.

That's what I was thinking...would make it so much easier.

I'm going to add my voice to this recommendation. I think getting a wheelchair could make a world of difference. If the stadium staff are as friendly and accommodating to seniors as someone suggested above, I'd be surprised if they don't have wheelchairs on hand. Call the stadium and ask if they can be of assistance or have recommendations. They might have a system like the airlines to assist those who need it.

Please call the stadium about bringing your mom and the accommodations that they have. My 90 year young grandma loved baseball and my mom made it a point to take her once a year or so. The stadium near my mom had great accommodations including parking, elevators and short cuts for people who can't walk long distances. Please call!

Call them. They ask you to call. http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/nyy/ballpark/information/index.jsp?content=disabled

Excellent link, KRNL. And while you are dialing, Carol Anne, read through that page. Some excellent information for your excursion.

Thanks everyone! Digesting all this info, it's very helpful. I was camping in the Adirondacks with my family until Sunday eve when I drove to my mom's n the finger lakes to get her. Stayed there all day yesterday helping SIL who just had surgery and then drove home to WO last night. So no time to do a lot of research. All of your information has been really helpful!!!!

My mom is 82, but it's only in the last year or so that she is showing her age. She gets mad at us for "making her old before she is ready". She doesn't use the cane all the time, but I will insist she brings it with her. Sounds like it could be a lot of walking no matter how we go. (Public transit or driving). I will call the stadium and ask for advice. My mom keeps saying, "this is a once in a lifetime. Something I never thought I would get to do". It's so fun watching her excitement.

One question. Gates open at 5:30. What time should we leave WO? Is 3 early enough? Also do I need to reserve parking ahead? Or just find it/pay for it when I get there?

Thanks!

3pm should be fine and in this case, I WOULD reserve parking after you call and find out which lot is the best for handicapped access. Just to be sure you have a place at that lot. I am excited for her- she sounds thrilled. Have a fun evening!

Thank you everyone. My mom had a great time and was such a trooper. We were some of the first people in line and all got our caps. The staff was all very kind and helpful. She got to see Rivera pitch. She spoiled her grandchildren. The wait for the family bathroom and her slow walking at the end of the game were blessings. There was no traffic out of the garage and then only a small delay getting on the GWB. All in all great day. Thank you for all your help.

YAY! So glad it worked out well.

So glad you were able to do this with your mom. What wonderful memories you all will have. And I'm saying this as a Mets fan to boot (but I love Rivera, btw). ;-)