This Labor Day weekend marked another milestone for accessibility on the Oregon Coast with the installation of a new Mobi-mat at Heceta Beach Park in Florence. This is the second Mobi-mat to be installed on the coast this summer as part of the Oregon Coast Visitors Association’s (OCVA) Strategic Investment Fund, which has been dedicated to the purchase and installation of Mobi-mats coast-wide.
Mobi-Mats are portable, weather-resistant pathways that enable people with mobility challenges to navigate uneven terrain, such as beaches, with greater ease. The installation of these mats empowers both residents and visitors with mobility needs to enjoy the beauty of the Oregon Coast. Florence joins Gold Beach as OCVA funding recipients, and joins Lincoln City, Seaside, Beverly Beach State Park, and Gold Beach as one of the growing number of accessible beach locations on the Oregon Coast.
The addition of the Mobi-Mats and David’s Chair at Heceta Beach, along with Wheel the World assessments for lodging, positions Florence as a leader in furthering accessibility initiatives along the coast. The timing of this installation could not have been better, as the Mobi-Mat saw lots of traffic over the busy Labor Day weekend and received an outpouring of public support on social media, with the announcement post receiving over 170,000 impressions.
120 feet of mobility mats (6’ wide) were installed at Heceta Beach County Park, just adjacent to the Driftwood Shores Resort. The mats are placed along the main pathway from the parking area to the beach.
Lane County Parks headed up the effort to fund and install these mats, and Brett Henry, Lane County Parks Division Manager, expressed his gratitude for the support they received: “The Oregon Coast Visitors Association provided the funding for the purchase and delivery of the Mobi-Mats through their Strategic Investment Fund program, and we’re incredibly thankful for their partnership.”
The Oregon Coast Visitors Association looks forward to more Mobi-mats rolling out this summer, and to continuing our mission of enhancing accessibility across the region, making the coast more welcoming and inclusive for everyone.
Mobi-mat Funding: Bring a Mobi-mat to your Organization
The applications are continuing to come in, and we look forward to supporting more Mobi-mat implementations along the entire coast. The grant is ongoing, and 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 a 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.