Mobility mats and beach pathways are solid surfaces installed on beaches. They are designed to enable people in wheelchairs or using walkers and baby strollers to get close to the water.
There are many mobi mats in the region, including Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Clinch Park in Traverse City, Traverse City State Park, Whiting Park in Boyne City, and Petoskey State Park.
Annie Campbell, the director of development of Disability Network Northern Michigan, said those efforts at creating more accessibility accesses will be pursued.
“We hope to raise money by the end of spring to have Bryant Park in Traverse City and Camp Petosega in Alanson accessible through the purchase of beach pathways,” she said.
The success of the program has other parks planning their own, Campbell said. “A number of different parks have contacted us asking for our input,” she said. “They’re planning on putting in accessible beach and kayak launches.”