Funding Available! Apply to Bring Mobi-mats to Your Oregon Coast Community
Ask any local or visitor why they came to the Oregon Coast and their answer is likely to be the same: for the beaches and incredible nature. But there is a growing demographic of people, including the elderly and people with mobility issues, who can’t easily access beaches and trails.
To make the Oregon Coast a more accessible place for all visitors, the Oregon Coast Visitors Association (OCVA) and coastal partners are involved in many different initiatives to increase Travelability – the ability for people of all abilities to access the coast.
One of the simplest and most cost-effective resources for opening access to beaches is the use of Mobi-mats, which are temporary weather-proof pathways designed to make uneven terrain accessible to people with mobility challenges. Bringing these mats to trails, beaches, or events opens up access and inclusivity to everyone.
There are currently over 1,000 feet of Mobi-mats on the coast in places like Lincoln City and Seaside, with more on the way. These locations have received a wave of positive feedback, and Jeanne Sprague of Lincoln City Parks and Recreation shared that “These mats create accessibility for everyone, not just wheelchair users but also families with strollers, the elderly, and even for emergency vehicle access. They are incredibly easy to implement, and they are safe. It’s so easy to see the enormous benefits of these mats and I hope to see them utilized everywhere along the coast.”
A few key highlights of Mobi-mats:
- They empower access for disabled residents and travelers by letting them traverse beaches with their own mobility devices.
- They open access for everyone by providing a smooth, stable surface for hobby walkers, families with strollers, and anyone seeking an easier walking path.
- They offer essential access for public events. They are a crucial amenity that ensures that all attendees can participate fully.
- They serve a growing demographic of disabled individuals. The World Health Organization cites that the number of people who experience disabilities is growing. Mobi-mats are a forward-thinking solution that accommodates the current and increasing demand for accessible outdoor spaces.
Applications Open for Mobi-mat Program Deployment
In order to open accessibility at more Oregon Coast locations, OCVA has designated its annual Strategic Investment Fund to support Mobi-mat program implementations.
Organizations who are interested in purchasing a mat should explore our comprehensive Mobi Mat Toolkit (en español), which outlines the essential steps for acquiring, sustaining, and effectively integrating a Mobi Mat within your community. Upon ensuring all necessary components of the program are in order, they can complete the application here. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis while funds are available.
OCVA looks forward to reviewing applications, and to helping roll out even more Mobi-mats on the Oregon Coast. For questions relating to the toolkit or application, email industry@thepeoplescoast.com.
Learn more about Mobi-mats and other Oregon Coast Travelability initiatives here.
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Thanks to all the partners who collaborated on the Mobi-mat toolkit:
Oregon Parks and Recreation, with guidance from their Accessibility Design Standards for all Future Projects initiative | Lincoln City Parks and Recreation | Tillamook Coast Visitors Association | City of Seaside + Seaside Visitors Bureau | April and Eilish Foster | Mobi-mat
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Oregon Coast Visitors Association
The Oregon Coast Visitors Association (OCVA) is the official Regional Destination Management Organization for the entire Oregon Coast as designated by the Oregon Tourism Commission (dba Travel Oregon). OCVA inspires travel and strengthens collaboration to create and steward a sustainable coastal economy.
OCVA has the honor of working with coastal communities to align partnerships, destination development projects, and destination marketing with the vision of creating “a coastal utopia for all.” This includes coastal stakeholders, new and returning visitors, and the natural resources that make these coveted experiences so magical.