CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESOURCE CENTER Read More
Add To Favorites

Santa Cruz state beaches double available wheelchair inventory

Santa Cruz Sentinel - 3/5/2021

Mar. 5—SANTA CRUZ — A California Coastal Conservancy grant to Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks has doubled the number of beach wheelchairs available to people with disabilities, who want to visit the local shorelines.

The conservancy provided more than $13,700 that allowed state parks to add five more beach wheelchairs to their fleet. Bonny Hawley, executive director of Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks, said that means wheelchairs will be available at all eight state beaches in Santa Cruz County.

"Providing access to our local beaches to all users, is something we value, and our mission is to make our beaches and parks available to all," Hawley said.

The grant was, according to Hawley, one of the largest disbursed by the conservancy in the state.

The wheelchairs can be reserved for day-use at any of those state beaches in Santa Cruz County, such as Natural Bridges, Seacliff and Twin Lakes. Reserving one is free of charge.

Those interested should email SCD.specialevents@parks.ca.gov. A reservation can also be made by phone at 831-335-8487, during business hours Monday to Thursday but email is preferred. Information can also be found at thatsmypark.org.

"Our goal is to make our beloved state parks and beaches accessible to all," Hawley said. "Doubling the number of available beach wheelchairs is one way we can help more people and their families explore the beautiful coast in a comfortable, safe

way."

The group Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks works in partnership with California State Parks.

"We are pleased to help facilitate the expansion of the beach wheelchair program at state beaches in Santa Cruz County," Eddie Rhee-Pizano, state parks lifeguard supervisor, said in a press release. "This is a great way for individuals and families to safely experience these special places."

Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks is also collaborating with Shared Adventures, a Santa Cruz nonprofit that coordinates recreational activities for people who have disabilities. Shared Adventures will coordinate with Friends, and State Parks in putting together recitational activities that will utilize the beach wheelchairs.

"We believe in getting people outdoors and moving beyond limitation," Foster Andersen, executive director of Shared Adventures, said in a press release. "Our new partnership with Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks, along with this addition of beach wheelchairs available locally at no cost to visitors, will make our state beaches more accessible to individuals and families."

___

(c)2021 the Santa Cruz Sentinel (Scotts Valley, Calif.)

Visit the Santa Cruz Sentinel (Scotts Valley, Calif.) at www.santacruzsentinel.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Nationwide News