Tofino aims to make renowned beach more accessible

The first accessible beach access inTofinois set to open in the coming days, part of a districtplan to extend to everyone the beauty of the rugged west coast tourist mecca.

The idea started with an accessibility studyconducted for the district ofTofinoseveral years ago. That study revealedthatpeople with mobility issues had trouble accessing the stunning beaches that attract the world to the west coast of Vancouver Island.

• Floating wheelchair coming to Sudbury's Bell Park beach

As a result, the districtmade some changes toMacKenzieBeach, which is close to town, including the installation of a wooden ramp with a gentle slope to the sand.

A concrete path leading to the ramp will also be constructed.

"Formerly, there was a narrow, little rocky path that went through the bushes to get to the beach," saidTofinoMayorJosieOsborne.

Osbornesays the ramp isone of many steps the community is taking to make the area accessible to all visitors.

"We want the beach and everything that we all enjoythose of us who are able-bodiedto be enjoyed by everybody who comes to Tofino."

Osbornesaidsimilar ramps will be added at the access points for other beaches in the coming years.

Tofino'sefforts coincide with other municipalities'efforts to make their waterfronts more accessible for people with mobility issues.

A specially designed wheelchair was introducedforpeople tonavigate the main beach at Bell Park in Sudbury, Ont. The chair has fat, balloon-like tires, which helps it travel across sand and float in the water.

Similar chairs are also available at the beach inWhite Rock in B.C.'s Lower Mainland.

With files by Megan Thomas