June 8, 2011

The Department of Natural Resources has taken an initial step in ensuring that everyone has access to the water at its beaches with the installation of a mobility mat at the Traverse City State Park beach. Staff from the park, along with Friends from the Disability Network of Northern Michigan and the Traverse City Exchange Club, will conduct an open house and dedication ceremony for the new walkway from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., June 25, at the beach, located at 1132 US-31 North in Traverse City.

The "Mobi-Mat" is a stationary, 60-inch-wide fabric that creates a portable sidewalk on the sand. The Traverse City State Park is installing 100 feet of the product to provide improved surfacing and enhanced access to the waters of Grand Traverse Bay from the parking area. The matting was purchased through a grant from the Traverse City Exchange Club.

"The mats are useful for people needing wheelchairs, but they also are for people pulling wagons or ice coolers or pushing strollers," said acting Roscommon District Supervisor Tim Schreiner. "The mobility mat provides an avenue for persons with disabilities to get down to the water, but can also be a benefit for the elderly, people with balance issues, or those who just find it difficult or challenging to walk on loose sand."

Schreiner said that along with installing the mat, the park has funded the purchase of a specially designed, water-buoyant wheelchair to loan to visitors. The chair can transport a swimmer with a disability directly into the water for a refreshing dip and enable him or her to ease into a swimming position. The chair is expected to be available for use in late June.

The beach sidewalk is the first of many mobility mats the Disability Network hopes to see installed at Traverse City beaches. "We find that what's good for a person with disabilities usually is good for everyone," said Annie Campbell, resource development manager for the Disability Network. "And we want guests who come here to know that people with accessibility issues are welcome in Traverse City."

Becoming more accessible is an important goal for the state parks as well. Traverse City State Park built a playground at the beach two years ago that greatly exceeds accessibility requirements. The mobility mat installation continues the park's goal of making the beach usable to everyone. "Whether it's the playground, the beach or the park, the design should allow all people to use the facility together," Schreiner said. "We want to make Traverse City State Park known for its universal accessibility." For details on the mobility mat, call Tim Schreiner, 231-590-6704.

The Recreation Passport has replaced motor vehicle permits for entry into Michigan state parks, recreation areas and state-administered boating access fee sites. This new way to fund Michigan's outdoor recreation opportunities also helps to preserve state forest campgrounds, trails and historic and cultural sites in state parks, and provides park development grants to local communities.

Michigan residents can purchase the Recreation Passport ($10 for motor vehicles; $5 for motorcycles) by checking "YES" on their license plate renewal forms, or at any state park or recreation area. Nonresident motor vehicles must still display a valid nonresident Recreation Passport ($29 annual; $8 daily) to enter a Michigan state park, recreation area or state-administered boating access fee site; these can be purchased at any state park or recreation area, or through the Michigan e-Store at www.michigan.gov/estore. To learn more about the Recreation Passport, visit www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport or call 517-241-7275.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state's natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.