Gold Beach Enhances Beach Accessibility with New Mobi-mats

Gold Beach made a significant leap towards improving beach accessibility this week, with the installation of new of Mobi-mats. This was a collaborative effort from local volunteers, the Oregon Coast Visitors Association (OCVA), and the Trailkeepers of Oregon.

Gold Beach is the first applicant to take advantage of the OCVA’s new accessibility grant program, and the first to see the mats in action. The installation was completed by 6 volunteers from the Trailkeepers and Visitor Center, who spent just an hour and a half setting up the mats along the beach. The mats are able to stay out for extended periods as well.

Mobi-mats are temporary pathways that can be laid out over uneven terrain, making natural landscapes like beaches more accessible for individuals with mobility challenges. The OCVA’s current focus is on expanding Mobi-mat installations to enhance access to Oregon’s coastal areas for visitors and residents alike.

“The response from the community has been so overwhelmingly positive. This is an area with many older residents, so an opportunity like this is extremely valuable. We want everyone in the community to be able to enjoy the beach.” Stated Gold Beach Visitor Center Lead, Ruth Dixon,

In addition to the Mobi-mats, Gold Beach still features a fixed location track chair provided by David’s Chair, allowing them to cater accessibility options as needed. Dixon noted the impact of being able to offer both.

“Over the weekend, someone came down to use a David’s Chair and was traveling with a friend in a wheelchair. With both options available, they were overjoyed to be able to get out on the beach together,”

The successful roll-out of the Mobi-mats in Gold Beach shows a commitment to inclusivity and accessibility from the Gold Beach Visitors Center. Ensuring everyone can enjoy our beautiful stretch of coast is OCVA’s stated mission, and this is another step forward toward making it a reality.