Just in time for the long weekend, wheelchair users can hit the beach with ease at Gyro Beach Park and Rotary Beach Park.
These two summer hotspots have been equipped with beach wheelchairs, an upgrade to help make the popular beaches even more accessible for Kelowna residents and visitors.
“Our waterfront is a spectacular asset and we want to make sure that everyone can access and enjoy the lake,” said Ian Wilson, Park Services Manager. “The beach wheelchairs are much easier to navigate through sand than regular wheelchairs, allowing users to get right on the beach and even roll into the water.”
Okanagan Beach Rentals on-site at both Gyro Beach and Rotary Beach will sign out the specially designed wheelchairs at no charge to those needing them. Hours of operation are 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily, weather permitting. There is one beach wheelchair available at each location on a first come, first served basis.
“This is exciting news,” said Louise Abbott, Executive Director of the Kelowna & District Society for People in Motion. “The Society already has two beach wheelchairs that are lent out regularly and they have proved to be a very popular item. Individuals who need adaptive equipment will be delighted to know the additional beach chairs will provide further accessibility to two beaches in Kelowna.”
The City thanks the Benjamin Moore Main Street Matters campaign for its assistance in purchasing the two beach wheelchairs.
For more information about Kelowna’s beaches and parks, visit kelowna.ca/parks.