One of the many changes that have come for people with disabilities is through beach accessibility. This is certainly true for the beach-going people in Myrtle Beach. Ramps, specialized wheelchairs, paths, and other provisions have radically changed the seaside experience for many traditionally underserved people. Let’s take a look.
1. Parking
The first step in beach accessibility is the parking. The accessible spaces are often widened to accommodate wheelchair lifts and ramps. Plus, thankfully in the state of South Carolina, certain designated license plates and a common accessibility tag will score free parking at any publicly operated meter.
2. Beach Access Ramps
For beach goers with wheelchairs or anyone needing a smooth transition to the sand, some beaches offer beach access ramps. While these don’t have the amenities of the full access areas, they are certainly a good start. The following beaches are for public use and offer beach access ramps. Places with further beach accessibility are labeled such. These beaches often, but not always, have reduced dependency on stairs and often include paths, pads, or beach wheelchair availability, and other features.
- 29th Avenue South (fully accessible)
- 27th Avenue South
- 24th Avenue South
- Hurl Rock Park at 20th Avenue South (fully accessible)
- 1809 South Ocean Boulevard
- 1703 South Ocean Boulevard (fully accessible)
- 16th Avenue South
- 15th Avenue South
- 12th Avenue South
- 10th Avenue South
- 9th Avenue South
- 3rd Avenue South (fully accessible)
- 1st Avenue North
- 2nd Avenue North (fully accessible)
- 4th Avenue North
- 7th Avenue North
- Plyler Park
- 13th Avenue North
- 16th Avenue North
- 1802 North Ocean Boulevard
- Anderson Park
- 25th Avenue North
- 31st Avenue North
- 38th Avenue North (fully accessible)
- 41st Avenue North (fully accessible)
- 44th Avenue North
- Gardens by the Sea, 5400 North Ocean Boulevard (fully accessible)
- Seaside Place
- 64th Avenue North (fully accessible)
- 69th Avenue North
- 70th Avenue North
The public-use beach wheelchair services found through this link are super helpful. They deliver wheelchairs directly to the location and the chairs have taller, wider wheels for navigating sand. The wheelchairs are typically given on a first-come-first-serve policy and have limitations such as no long term reservations.
Coastal Adaptive Sports understands the need for specialized equipment and accessibility aids. With basketball, surfing, cycling, kayaking and more, we know what a difference these adaptations make. Beach accessibility is just one of the many advancements we support. Check out some of what we do in our other blog posts.
If you are interested in participating in a Wheel to Surf event, or participating, be sure to contact us.
Wanna get involved? You may also volunteer to help out with a Coastal Adaptive Sports event by clicking here.