After contemplating the issue for more than two years, university officials have closed the Beach Avenue access point to Reiman Gardens due to safety concerns.

Teresa McLaughlin, director of Reiman Gardens, said a “very blind curve” near the entrance has been responsible for numerous near-accidents in the past year between pedestrians and cars.

“It’s not a question of if, but when, a serious accident will occur,” McLaughlin said.

Last summer, two vehicles lost control at the Beach Avenue access point and hit a maintenance building, McLaughlin said.

No one was injured in the accidents, but the maintenance building sustained damages and a portion of fencing was destroyed, she said.

“The safety of our visitors and the students that work here is our primary concern,” McLaughlin said.

Cathy Brown, program coordinator for Facilities Planning and Management, said the barricades blocking off the access point were put in place about two weeks ago. The decision to close the access point was made last fall due to the construction of the new conservatory, she said, but it was reopened through the winter.

McLaughlin said the access road has long been a shortcut for people to get from Beach Avenue to Elwood Drive.

“With the increased number of small children, strollers and people in wheelchairs visiting Reiman Gardens, people using the access road as a shortcut created a hazard to everyone,” she said.

Brown said other options, such as utilizing speed bumps, were considered. Ultimately, closing the access point would create the safest environment, she said.

“Unless we can solve the traffic pattern [on Beach Avenue], the access point will remain closed,” McLaughlin said.

Brown said there are plans to replace the barricades with operable gates, which will allow the Beach Avenue access to be opened during home football games.

To gain access to the Reiman Gardens on any other day, visitors must use the entrance off Elwood Drive, McLaughlin said.

Both Brown and McLaughlin agree the main entrance used by visitors to Reiman Gardens is off Elwood Drive, so the majority of visitors will not be affected by the entrance closing.

More than 100,000 people visit Reiman Gardens each year, McLaughlin said.