Families and visitors to public splash pads and beaches in Sault Ste. Marie now have access to new water wheelchairs designed for children and adults with mobility disabilities, as part of a broader municipal effort to make recreational spaces more inclusive.
The City of Sault Ste. Marie has purchased an adult beach wheelchair for Pointe Des Chenes Beach, along with three youth water wheelchairs for the splash pads at Bellevue Park and Manzo Park. City Accessibility Coordinator Diane Morrell explained that traditional wheelchairs often feature specialized seating or electrical components that cannot get wet, preventing children with disabilities from enjoying water parks. The new youth wheelchairs are built with quick-drying mesh seats, adjustable positioning straps, and angle-adjustable backrests, allowing users to roll directly into water features.
Similarly, the adult beach wheelchair at Pointe Des Chenes is made of water-resistant mesh, enabling users to be wheeled directly into the lake. Beyond the new wheelchairs, the city has implemented additional accessibility upgrades, including improved parking at the beach and new change tables in Bellevue Park’s accessible changing facilities.
The equipment is available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis. Because the wheelchairs are not self-propelled, they require a caregiver or attendant to operate. Residents can reserve the equipment in advance by filling out a form on the accessibility section of the city’s website.
