Mobility mat installed at Echo Dale Regional Park, improving accessibility

Frank feels the mats will help a number of people looking for better beach access.

“I think it’s great for anybody really, even any kind of grandparents or anyone that has any issues with walking or traversing soft ground like that,” Frank said.

“It’ll give them an opportunity to get out to the water edge where they could sit on a lawn chair and if they want to be there with their grandkids and playing and splashing and all that and it’s all important.”

Don said the city does a good job of looking after accessibility and inclusion.

“It’s a big plus, our city they’re light years ahead of most cities, they really are in what they afford us and there are some really good things that we should be getting out to people,” Don said.

Scott Richter, business and innovations manager, City of Medicine Hat. (Kevin Kyle/CHAT News)

Scott Richter, business and innovations manager with the city said they are always looking for ways to increase access for people at all city facilities, with Echo Dale as no exception.

“Whether you have you know, a stroller, I think sometimes hard to push a stroller in the sand. So, wheelchairs, walkers, anything like that, this will be an easier way to get down to the water for people,” Richter said.

“That’s what we’re really, really trying to do is get people more access to all our amenities and facilities,” he added.

“We always do accessibility audits and we have a close partnership with city departments and people in the community. We’re always looking to improve our spaces to increase accessibility.”

Richter adding that this was a great way to ensure that could be done at the beach in an inexpensive way.

“We want everybody to enjoy those spaces,” Richter said.

Dylan Brown is more interested in going to Echo Dale Regional Park with the increased accessibility. (Kevin Kyle/CHAT News)

Dylan Brown, who utilizes a mobility scooter, said this is something that will give him more interest in visiting Echo Dale.

“I think it’s great because I have kids, so like usually instances like that I can’t really get down to the water with them,” Brown said.

“I’ll be joining in on the fun, I guess.”

Frank says he’s been to a lot of other cities, finding worse accessibility.

“Tried a lot of things and came back shaking my head most times, but our city’s been really open to addressing anything with to promote and accessibility and inclusion,” Frank said.

“I think that’s what we got to sell our city as a place for everybody.”

City employees using the sandcruiser wheel chair to test out the mobi-mat at Echo Dale Regional Park. (Kevin Kyle/CHAT News)

Echo Dale also has a brand new mobility chair that will make it easier to access the sand.

The mobi-mat will be accessible during lifeguarded hours at the beach from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

Allowing people a better chance to enjoy the beach and water.

by Jesse Gill

Mobility mat installed at Echo Dale Regional Park, improving accessibility

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