Friends Group Moves to Improve Beach Access for All

It’s no secret Lake James State Park is the place to beat the heat during summer. Folks from all over the Piedmont and mountains of North Carolina spend weekends at the park to enjoy the 800-foot beach and swimming area; a WNC Riviera if you will.

A gap in equal access to the beachfront has now been addressed, with the recent delivery of a “beach wheelchair,” purchased with funds provided by Friends of State Parks and Friends of Lake James State Park. The unit will be made available on loan to anyone physically unable to navigate the soft beach sand and the cooling waters beyond.

The Friends of State Parks group donated $1,000 of the unit’s $1,500 price tag and the Friends of Lake James donated $500. Plans are in the works to have a second beach wheelchair by the start to next year’s swim season. The park also hopes to install a wheelchair accessible beach mat/walkway to make life easier for anyone with a conventional wheelchair, baby stroller, wagon, etc.

Individuals wishing to use the wheelchair will need to leave a photo ID with the concessions stand staff, to be held there until its return.

“We’ve been wanting to provide this service for awhile, so I’m happy we are finally able to,” said Park Superintendent Nora Coffey. “I’m grateful to FLJSP and FSP for making it possible.”

It will be made available as a loaner to anyone who needs it. Individuals wishing to borrow it will need to leave a photo ID. The park hopes to add a second beach wheelchair by next season along with an accessible beach mat/walkway to make it easier for