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Parks & Environmental Services Port Clinton officials and The Ability Center of Sylvania, Ohio, partnered to put down a Mobi-Mat beach access mats for people with disabilities, walkers and elderly visitors or parents with strollers. (Photo provided by Port Clinton, Ohio)
Accessible mats, wheelchairs improve beach day inclusivity By LAUREN CAGGIANO | The Municipal
The driving force behind efforts initiated by two municipalities is that everyone wins when public facilities and amenities are accessible to people of all abilities.
Installed from Memorial Day through Labor Day, Lincoln City’s Mobi-Mats are ADA compliant, portable, nonslip and roll-up, increasing beach access by creating temporary pathways. (Photo provided by Lincoln City, Ore.)
46 THE MUNICIPAL | AUGUST 2022
Jeanne Sprague is the parks and recreation director of Lincoln City, Ore. She is charged with working with the public, other departments, nonprofits and public entities to offer health and wellness programming to the community. According to Sprague, the staff approach each project through the lens of three pillars: equity, health and wellness, and conservation, which is why three beaches are now equipped with Mobi-Mats — portable, nonslip roll-up runners that create temporary pathways along the sand. “Accessibility is a huge part of Lincoln City,” she said. “We are a tourist town, and we have residents. We rely heavily on our beach and open spaces to get people outdoors to recreate. And we want everyone to be able to recreate, no matter their ability.” With that in mind, the public works department started the conversation because they had seen such a concept in another location and wanted to bring it to Oregon. At the time they already had an all-terrain beach chair and wanted to expand on that. The chair is equipped with fat tires that can get over rocks and sand on the beach. According to Sprague, the Mobi-Mats are made of 100% recycled polyester and are saltwater resistant, ideal for the Oregon climate. Perhaps most importantly, they help remove barriers to enjoying the beach.
