The Gold Beach Visitor’s Center is making strides to ensure everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the beach on Oregon’s South Coast – no matter what their age or physical ability.
The visitor’s center is one of the latest locations on the Oregon Coast to receive a ‘David’s Chair.’
Both David’s original Action Trackchair and their newer youth-sized Trackchair have been used by people with mobility challenges to go places and experience freedom they haven’t been able to, free of charge.
Because of donations given by grants, sponsors, and generous individuals, David’s Chair has taken people and their families on exciting outdoor excursions at locations that are inaccessible to regular wheelchairs.
That’s why when Ruth Dixon, the lead at the Gold Beach Visitor Center, saw a social media post from ‘David’s Chair’ in July, 2023, reporting that they had one chair left that needed a location on the Oregon coast – she didn’t hesitate to contact them.
Dixon immediately reached out, and in October, 2023, a Fixed Location Chair was placed at the Gold Beach Visitor Center located at 94080 Shirley Lane.
“The chair can be taken out on the beach for free, providing amazing opportunities for anyone who struggles to go to the beach,” Dixon said.
Just a couple of months later, a second chair and a Tow and Go trailer was added as well.
People can reserve the trailer and chair online and take it out for up to 7 days, again at no cost. However, donations are appreciated for chair maintenance, and other associated costs.
“Being down here at the visitor’s center, I really need to focus on visitors. We get so many people that come to the southern Oregon Coast that can’t get to the beach,” Dixon said.
“But I was also doing it for my community. There are a lot of older people who live here that can no longer make it to the beach,” she said.
Dixon said although the addition of the mobility chairs has added some work and fundraising for the folks at the visitor center – everyone has been fully onboard.
“We are so happy to be one of the most-utilized David’s Chair locations, thanks to our staff and community spreading the news about the chair being available,” Dixon said.
In May, 2024 the Visitor Center was able to obtain a Wheelchair Charging Station, thanks to United Way of Jackson County. People who need to charge their mobility scooters or electric wheelchairs can come into the visitor center and utilize the station at no charge.
Last but not least, Dixon said, the Gold Beach Visitor Center received a grant from Oregon Coast Visitors Association to install Mobi-mats at South Beach park during the summer season.
MOBI mats are non-slip, roll-up beach access mats that are helpful for people with disabilities, pedestrians, elderly visitors or parents with strollers.
“City Administrator Anthony Pagano has always wanted to have Mobi-mats in Gold Beach and we are all excited to see this happening,” Dixon said.
They plan to have the mats installed in the next few months.
The team at the Visitor Center is now looking for help with funding a storage building for the Tow and Go Trailer and chairs. This would allow the chairs to be more readily available for use. Currently, they are only available during hours that the Visitor Center is open.
Funding or donations are also being sought for a small shelter to store the Mobi-mats in during the off-season.
Anyone with questions or who would like more information about accessibility at the Gold Beach Visitor Center and South Beach Park, can call 541-247-7526 or send an email to gbvc@visitgoldbeach.org.
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