WECT-TV interviews FOWB about the Beach-Walker Project

 9/3/26 Update: After actively working  for over the last year with the Town of Wrightsville Beach, Mercer's Pier & Ocean Cure, we launched our Beach-Walker Project this morning at Johnnie Mercer's Pier.  The Town of Wrightsville Beach & their Public Works Dept. did an exceptional job of processing the Mobi-mat, so they could swiftly deploy it in time for the Labor Day Weekend.

This  pilot program for our handicap beach access is named the  "Beach-Walker Project". It's a durable 160' x 6.5' rollable & stowable mat system with a vehicle crossover by Mobi-Mat to allow disabled beach-goers to cross our beach strand just South of Mercer's Pier & get to the ocean. 

The WB Public Works Dept. deployed the 100' of access mat with connectors, as needed, in time for the Labor Day Weekend.  This Mobi-Mat system compliments the Town's Sand Wheelchair program, already in place & can expand to more access points in the future.

Caution: The Beach-Walker facility is not designed for wheeled vehicles such as skateboards, bicycles or E-Bikes & they are not permitted on the mobi-mats system.  

The Beach-Walker Project will be regularly monitored by numerous beach entities.  Please be aware that as this project is adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean & on our ever-changing beachfront, numerous factors can affect its safe use.  Please use caution when utilizing the mat system, as sands can shift from wind & water to make unstable spots or steep grades that may be dangerous to wheelchairs or strollers.  Use your own safe judgement when using this facility & Be Safe!

The Mobi-Mat system can be simply deployed or stowed, is durable & UV resistant, as well as made from recycled materials.  Each unit runs about $15,000 (mats. cart & shipping).  We already have pledges from a number of donors supporting the program & will highlight this project during our year-long activities.

As we learn from this Pilot Program, we hope to expand the program in the future to other locations on our beach that have the proper accommodations for our disabled beach-goers.

The name "Beach-Walker Project" is in honor of Kevin Walker, an everlasting friend to each of us, a strong community supporter & member of the Wrightsville Beach Waterman Hall of Fame.  Kevin made the first donation to our group in 2018.  He and his company rebuilt  the original Johnny Mercer's Fishing Pier (1930's)  with the current concrete structure in 2001.  The new pier is 1200 feet long & built to withstand up to 200 mph winds. It's one of the most well-known landmark's of Wrightsville Beach, NC.