City of Fernandina Beach
Press Release
May 10, 2016 3:15 p.m.
Please join us at 11:00 am on Saturday, May 14, 2016, at Main Beach Park for the introduction of the Mobi-Mat.
This environmentally-friendly American with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant matting provides safe and easy access for wheelchairs, strollers and walkers to maneuver on the beach sand. The matting material is made completely from recycled plastic bottles.
Funds for the matting were provided through an ongoing partnership between the 8 Flags Playscapes, Inc. and the City of Fernandina Beach. 8 Flags Playscapes, a non-profit grass-roots community organization dedicated to building places where playing is fun for everyone, raised $2,000 to assist with the purchase of the matting and the remaining funds were provided by the City of Fernandina Beach Parks & Recreation Impact Fees.
Approximately 330 feet of matting was purchased to be used temporarily for outdoor special events and semi-permanently at the Main Beach boardwalk access ramp.
Thank you so much for your comments on the Mobi Mats as this is truly an awesome addition to our island! I would also like to add in our thanks to Taylor Gammage, who raised over $2000 to help purchase additional Mobi Mats and our daughter and son in law, Taylor and Kinney Leonard who set up a GoFundMe page and raised an additional $2000:)
Our island always pulls together when there is a need and this is just more proof of that. If you’d like to see the entire news coverage, please go to ActionNewsJax as they did an awesome job covering this story!
This is just one more step in making Fernandina Beach the most accessible city in Florida!!!!
What a fantastic addition to the ADA efforts of the City working with other organizations. I have seen a similar product in use at Hunting Island State Park in SC where it allowed those in wheelchairs and walkers to transition from the boardwalk down to the water. Great job!
Congratulations, To all the Folks making this commitment, to make it happen. Not only one of the most Accessible Citys in Florida. But one of the Most Compassionate, for making it a reality. This is the fabric of this Community, and why we Love it so. Thanks to All.
Many citizens who live here now does not know why ADA got so much attention. A few years ago, It was retired Orthodontist Clark V Hoshall Jr. who made Nassau County (including City of Fernandina Beach) aware of Federal ADA regulations.
Oh, so many places were not accessible by those physically impaired. Susan this would be an interesting history up date…remember holding court in the back of pickup truck? Court House was not in ADA compliance.
If I remember correctly there were 4 wheel vehicles with balloon tires with limited use to get on beach.This is absolutely wonderful persons with disabilities can enjoy what ALL enjoy.
It would be nice to declare a certain day in remembrance of Clark V Hoshall Jr.