Wheelchair-accessible beach mat will return to Carolina Beach this summer

CAROLINA BEACH, NC (WWAY) — After several months of the being in limbo, non-profit Ocean Cure will be able to put down their wheelchair-accessible mats in Carolina Beach this summer.

After months of uncertainty, the North Carolina Coastal Resources Commission has granted a variance request to Carolina Beach for the placement of mats for wheelchair access to the beach.

Carolina Beach in partnership with the nonprofit Ocean Cure Inc., has been providing wheelchair access from the boardwalk to the beach in summer months since 2017.

In July 2020, the town of Carolina Beach received a letter stating that the beach mats were considered non-compliant. North Carolina Wildlife Commission advised that the mats violated wildlife protection laws. Ocean Cure has been working with the town of Carolina Beach to submit a variance request to the state. On Thursday, their request was approved.

The mats are set to go back down in front of the boardwalk around Memorial Day of this year and stay until Labor Day, weather permitting.