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Cape May to Make Beaches More Handicapped Friendly

Government | Thu, 10/23/2008 - 11:47 am | Read 3204 | Commented 7 | Emailed 2
Tags: ADA act, cape may, cape may beaches, disabilities

By Jack Fichter

A roll-up beach walkway. Deschamps Mat Systems

CAPE MAY — The city is making a concerted effort to allow disabled persons to have better beach access including proposed removable boardwalks to the waterline and platforms with tables and umbrellas near the dune line.

City Council passed three resolutions at an Oct. 21 meeting to apply for grant funding to allow more beach access under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). One resolution authorized a professional services agreement with grant consultants Blauer and Associates for $1,500 plus a 4 percent fee if the city receives the funding.

The other two resolutions authorized applying to the state Department of Community Affairs (DCA) for grant funding.

The city received $383,000 in funding last year for the first phase of the project to improve access from Beach Avenue onto the Promenade and to create decking from the Promenade to the dune line, said Interim City Manager Bruce MacLeod.

The next phase of the project would create removable walkways from the dune line to the water’s edge, the high tide line. The city will apply for $353,000 in grants.

MacLeod said 40-foot by 40-foot decks would be constructed closer to the dune line, which give those in wheelchairs a place to rest with a table under an umbrella. There will be no chairs available so the general public does not use the decks, which are intended for the disabled and those in wheelchairs.

Mayor Edward J. Mahaney Jr. described the work as a multi-year project.
The mayor said after meeting with individuals and family and friends of those that need extra accommodation to access the beach it was apparent that just getting a person to the dune line was not sufficient because of their distance from the ocean.

Mahaney said the city would outfit four beaches this year and four additional beaches next year. The city’s Beach Patrol currently has 15 surf chairs for the disabled, which will be increased to 20 next year.
The city will also increase the number of handicapped parking spaces at those beach entrances, said Mahaney.

MacLeod said the walkways and decks could be moved as needed including for beach cleaning and may be made of a material such as Trex which is a composite made from a combination of reclaimed wood and recycled polyethylene from plastic grocery bags, dry cleaning bags and stretch film. It is ADA compliant and slip resistant.
The city may also build a handicapped accessible beach shower and water fountain by lifeguard headquarters, said MacLeod.

Councilman Niels Favre called the project a “wonderful solution.”

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Comments (7)

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Tue, 10/28/2008 - 11:26pm - Posted by: Anonymous

Very good point made by Margaret Lundgren of Greensboro NC

Service dogs are certainly covered under the ADA and have been so it's not a new part of the law. So many times situations occur as described by Ms Lundgren due to ignorance.

I had a friend who was forced to sue over the exact same problem. Various businesses would not allow her dog, Coco, to enter the premises. While, I believe, using the court system should always be the LAST resort, it is a necessary one due to lack of understanding of the ADA, a civil rights law.

We all must be aware of our rights and responsibilities under the ADA and it is up to the disabled, families, friends, and advocates to ensure that the law is upheld as it was meant to be.

Karl
Pennsauken, NJ

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Mon, 10/27/2008 - 10:24am - Posted by: Anonymous

Now all we need is the accommodations industry to become ADA compliant. fter numerous attempts in trying to find lodging for a friend who is handicapped and requires a service dog, we were forced to stay in Delaware since NO ONE in Cape May would accept a service dog. This is a problem and more than that, it is against the law to refuse a service dog in any business.

Margaret Lundgren
Greensboro NC

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Fri, 10/24/2008 - 8:05pm - Posted by: Anonymous

Excellent news. As a full time wheelchair user and frequent visitor to Cape May this is indeed welcome news.

Nice to see south Jersey beaches and towns becoming more and more ADA compliant. We have a way to go yet but are definitely heading in the right direction.

Karl
Pennsauken, NJ

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Fri, 10/24/2008 - 1:07pm - Posted by: Anonymous

I believe that the "ruin the beaches, hurt the tourist" comment refers to the incredibly sharp drop off on so many of our beaches. It has certainly taken the fun out of bodysurfing. As for making the beaches becoming more accessible, I think it is a great way to go on many levels. Even the non-disabled will benefit from being able to have an easier walk on the terrible "replenished" sand! Way to go, Cape May!

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Fri, 10/24/2008 - 9:30am - Posted by: Anonymous

I think it's wonderful! As a property owner in Wildwood Crest and the mother of two who are in wheelchairs I'm glad to see Cape May begin to include those with disabilities at the beach. Wildwood has done a terrfic job making access to the beach a reality for those in wheelchairs.
I'm not sure what this other comment meant "ruin the beaches, hurt tourists...etc". if they mean making accessiblity at the beaches hurts tourism, then find yourself another beach! you know there is such a thing as the ADA!!!

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Fri, 10/24/2008 - 7:38am - Posted by: Anonymous

Excellent.

Keep thinking inclusively, Cape May.

Ed RosenBerg
www.everyoneisincluded.us

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Thu, 10/23/2008 - 3:47pm - Posted by: Anonymous

Well, with the plethora of neck and spinal injuries at the Cape May shoreline happening the last few summers, all these handicapped accesses will certainly be needed. A truly "wonderful solution" indeed - ruin the beaches, hurt the tourists and then provide for them when they try again. Way to go Cape May.



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