STAFF PHOTO BY Paul Stephen/Wilmington StarNews
Q. Are there any places that offer beach wheelchair rentals in the Wrightsville Beach area, preferably places adjacent to the beach itself?
A. Visitors and residents can borrow beach wheelchairs from the Town of Wrightsville Beach Parks and recreation Department, said Stephanie Behrend, a department spokeswoman.
The department’s two beach wheelchairs, which are available to the public for free for up to three days, must be picked up and dropped off at the department at 1 Bob Sawyer Drive between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Those who wish to borrow one of the wheelchairs over a weekend must pick it up on Friday and return it by Monday, she said.
Those interested in using the special chairs, which have large plastic bubble wheels that roll easily over sand, must call first to reserve them. The large chairs do not fold like a typical wheelchair, so they don’t fit easily into cars. Behrend recommended beachgoers transport the chairs in an SUV or truck.
This past summer, one of the department’s chairs was stolen and another was damaged. The wheelchairs typically cost between $3,000 and $4,000, Behrend said. The department hopes to include the cost of a new chair in its budget for next year, she said.
RELATED LINKS:
Is there a law that requires handicapped access and notification of availability?
Where are the area’s beach access points?
Date posted: July 27, 2012
User-contributed question by:
Tami
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