New, Wheelchair-Friendly Mats Provide Greater Accessibility at Ed Walline Regional Beach Access

WALTON COUNTY, Fla. – December 11, 2017—Walton County Beach Operations employees are helping people with disabilities and mobility problems more easily enjoy the beautiful white-sand beaches South Walton is known for. New, wheelchair-friendly access mats made by AccessRec have been installed at the Ed Walline beach access. The product, called AccessMats, provides a firm surface that allows sand to fall through without building up, and are UV protected to withstand constant sunlight.

While South Walton already has a limited number of wheelchairs available that are designed for rolling across soft sand, the new access mats will provide beachgoers in regular wheelchairs the ability to get out onto the beach without having to change chairs.

Josh Ervin, Walton County TDC Beach Maintenance Manager, says of the project, “We are pleased to offer beach access to people of all abilities and are dedicated to improving our destination for everyone’s enjoyment.”  

The mats are 5-feet wide and extend 120-feet feet down to the Gulf, including two wings branching in either direction along the beach. Ervin said the project is part of the Tourist Development Council’s mission to help everyone enjoy South Walton’s beautiful beaches. 

For images of the new accessibility mat follow the link here: https://walton.montala.com/?c=1555&k=5bdff2d55e