The Commission on Disability is reminding Swampscott residents that free beach wheelchairs are available for use at the town’s beaches.
Swampscott received two donated beach wheelchairs last summer. The chairs are free to use and are designed to help people with mobility challenges access the beach and enjoy the ocean safely. Beach wheelchairs feature large, balloon-style wheels that glide over sand, allowing people with mobility challenges to reach the shoreline more easily.
“We want to remind residents – open to all towns and cities – that we have child and adult beach wheelchairs available to be checked-out, for free, from the Swampscott Police station,” said Commission on Disability Chair Lauren Shrestha. “The wheelchairs are held at Fisherman’s Beach Fish House locker No. 7 and can be transported and used anywhere as long as they’re returned by end of day.”
The chairs can be reserved by calling the Swampscott Police Department at 781-595-1111. A valid ID is required to obtain the chair, and users are encouraged to bring a companion, especially for assistance in the water.
There are two chair options. The Wader Chair is always upright, and it can be pushed into shallow water. The Mobi-Chair can also be positioned to float. However, neither chair is intended for use in areas with strong currents or waves.
Shrestha said the Police Department has received two completed wheelchair checkout forms, but it is unclear whether they were submitted last summer or this summer.
The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation recommends wearing a life jacket while using the chairs in the water.
Swampscott beaches are open for the season. During the summer, Swampscott residents are able to enjoy the town’s six beaches:
- Eisman’s/New Ocean Beach: Open for swimming, lifeguards on duty seven days a week from late-June through mid-August from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Fisherman’s Beach: Boating and swimming, lifeguard on duty weekends only from late-June through mid-August from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- King’s Beach: Public beach, swimming and no boating, no lifeguard on duty
- Phillips’ Beach: Swimming, lifeguard on duty seven days a week from late-June through mid-August from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Preston Beach: Swimming, no lifeguard on duty
- Whales Beach: Swimming, no lifeguard on duty
Beach parking stickers are required for:
- Preston Beach: Northbound side of Atlantic Avenue to the Marblehead line
- Phillips Beach: Ocean side of Ocean Avenue, between posted signs
- Whales / Eisman’s / New Ocean House: Parking lot next to the Phillips Park football field
- Fisherman’s Beach: Parking lot adjacent to the Fish House
- Recreation Parking: One side of Columbia Street next to the railroad station
