The city of Seal Beach celebrated the installation of a new beach accessibility mat at First Street with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, Aug. 4. The event brought together city officials, coastal agency partners, LA28, and community members to mark the completion of the city’s third beach access mat, funded by coastal grants that also provided a power track wheelchair for public use.
The new mat is the latest addition to Seal Beach’s accessibility efforts. The city previously installed two beach accessibility mats which are located at 10th Street and Eighth Street, and the recent grants enabled the installation of this third mat, along with the acquisition of a power track wheelchair. The mats create a firm, stable path across the sand, making it significantly easier for people who use wheelchairs, people with balance or mobility challenges, and parents pushing strollers or wagons to reach the shoreline.
The outdoor ceremony included welcome remarks, program updates, and the presentation of certificates from elected officials, followed by light refreshments and an opportunity for attendees to try out the new mat.
Speakers included:
• Seal Beach District Three Councilwoman/Mayor Lisa Landau
• Seal Beach Marine Safety Chief Joe Bailey
• Genesee Ouyang, Education director of Accessibility Programs, Orange County Coastkeeper
• Joel Gerwein, North Coast regional manager, California Coastal Conservancy
• Ileana Rodriguez, vice president of Paralympic Strategy and Relations, LA28, and 2012 Paralympic swimmer for Team USA
• Congressman Dave Min
• Representatives from the offices of Supervisor Janet Nguyen, Senator Tony Strickland, and Assemblymember Diane Dixon
• Seal Beach City Manager Patrick Gallegos
The event also welcomed participation from OC Public Library’s local children’s storytime group at Seal Beach Mary Wilson Library, the Golden Age Foundation, and the Triumph Foundation.