Betty Beacham, just celebrating her 85th birthday, was able to get closer to the water at the Island View Beach Regional Park this week, thanks to a new accessibility initiative by the Capital Regional District (CRD).
"It's fabulous," she said with a big smile.
Beacham, who moved to the Island three years ago, frequents the park with her daughter, Brenda Knapik, as it reminds her of her native Nova Scotia, affectionately known as "Canada's Ocean Playground."
Previously, Beacham's access to the beach was limited.
However, the CRD's recent installation of two Mobi-Mats, designed to provide wheelchair users and others with mobility challenges access beyond the gazebo, has changed everything.
"We come down here regularly and we would just park to look at the water," said Knapik. "It's great because now we can come over here and bring some chairs. Mom can sit right at the beachfront."
The bright blue, 5-foot-by-50-foot mats are arranged in an L-shape and have been met with excitement by the community.
Beacham, who uses a cane, was able to walk down the mat easily and looks forward to bringing her walker on her next visit.
Tanner Ridge resident Jenny Craven, a beachgoer with young children, was pleasantly surprised by the addition.
"I didn't realize they have this here," she said. "I was a little surprised to see it. I just walked down here with my baby girl in her stroller and we sat here for a little while and looked at the water."
Her husband, Alex, echoed her sentiment. "It's stable, and it allows wheels to turn easily and gets us a little bit closer down to the water. Whether you're in a walker, wheelchair or stroller, it’s got the surface that we need to get down here.”
Installed between May and June this year at a cost of approximately $6,000, the Mobi-Mats bring the total number of accessible beaches with this feature on the Peninsula to two.
Hamsterly Beach in Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park also boasts a Mobi-Mat, installed in 2023, as well as Thetis Lake Regional Park in View Royal.
According to Devon Smith, regional parks communications coordinator, this marks the first time the CRD has implemented a Mobi-Mat in an ocean beach environment.
The CRD plans to keep the upper section of the mat in place year-round, while the lower section will be removed seasonally to protect it from harsh winter weather.
"Access and equity is one of the five pillars of the CRD’s ten-year Regional Parks and Trails Strategic Plan," Smith explained. "The aim is to always be improving our facilities and providing more inclusive, barrier-free park experiences, so everyone feels like they belong.”
For Knapik and Beacham, the Mobi-Mats represent a significant improvement to their visits to Island View Beach.
“This really makes a difference for us,” said a beaming Knapik.
