Looking to improve accessibility to the beach, a Jersey Shore town has installed matted walkways.
Three new polyester mats are available for beachgoers through the remainder of the summer in the Borough of Wildwood Crest.
The walkways, called AccessMats, are located at Fern Road, Rambler Road and Miami Avenue.
Commissioner of Public Works Don Cabrera noted that the borough had difficulty maintaining the existing walkways, which consist of wooden planks.
“These mats have been placed at the three beach entrances on a trial basis so our residents and visitors can decide if they are worthy for consideration for the future,” said Cabrera. “We have been seeking alternatives to our wooden plank walkways in recent years because they can be very maintenance unfriendly, difficult to move and labor intensive.”
The mats, manufactured by New Jersey-based AccessRec, were developed to help beach towns serve visitors of all abilities.
According to the company, the surface of the mat remains cool on hot days and can handle the use of wheelchairs, strollers and other wheeled equipment.
The mats will only be available on a trial basis, but the borough is soliciting input from the public to determine additional use.
Anyone looking to weigh in is asked to call the Wildwood Crest Department of Public Works at (609) 522-7446 or email Cabrera at dcabrera@wildwoodcrest.org.