A new floating beach wheelchair is making Innisfil Beach Park more accessible for those with mobility issues.
The Town of Innisfil unveiled the Mobi-chair at the park Saturday. It is called Sierra’s Chair, in honour of the late Sierra Maclellan, who was born with hydrocephalus.
Nicole Maclellan, Sierra’s mother, was on hand Saturday.
“Knowing that others like Sierra will have the opportunity to experience the beach and the water with their families means a lot to us,” Maclellan said in a news release from the town. “Sierra’s wheelchair was not designed to go in the sand or water. At times we had to improvise in order for her to be a part of our family adventures. Knowing that families can now enjoy the beach with easier accessibility is very exciting.”
The floating wheelchair comes with an accessibility mat on Beach 3 that stretches over the sand, toward the water.
The chair, which has a weight capacity of 300 pounds, cost about $4,000, but it is free to use.
It is available for daily rentals at the park from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. It must be booked at least 24 hours in advance through Active Innisfil, where people can find safety information and guidelines.
“Renters must agree that the chair will not be used in inclement weather and that non-swimmers will wear a lifejacket. A support person is required. Renters will be able to pick up and return the chair on-site at the park,” the release stated.
Saturday’s dedication was led by Mayor Lynn Dollin, who thanked everyone for attending and introduced Sierra’s brother, Ty, and sisters, Sandy and Nicole.
“We want everyone to be able to enjoy a day at the beach,” Dollin said in the release. “Sierra’s Chair builds on the accessible beach mats already in place by extending beach access from the sand into the water. Our commitment to removing barriers extends to every corner of Innisfil, from parks and facilities to our beaches. We’re thankful to our Innisfil Beach Park Ad Hoc Committee and Innisfil Accessibility Advisory Committee for championing inclusive public spaces and to Sierra’s family for letting us recognize her through this exciting project.”
The Innisfil Beach Park Ad Hoc Committee made the decision to use its funding to purchase the chair and dedicate it to Sierra, who died in 2020.
More information about Sierra’s Chair can be found here.
— With files from Michael Feldman
