The Metropolitan Beaches Commission and Save the Harbor/Save the Bay last month convened a virtual public hearing focused on improving access for people with disabilities on the state’s public beaches in Hull, Quincy, South Boston, Dorchester to the south and Lynn, Nahant, Revere, Winthrop, East Boston to the north.
“The legislative and the community members of the commission hope that this hearing will help us better understand the challenges facing people with disabilities on the metropolitan beaches,” said Chris Mancini, executive director of Save the Harbor/Save the Bay as the Nov. 30 hearing began. “We are looking forward to working together with DCR [the Department of Conservation and Recreation] and all of you here today to develop strategies to improve access to these spectacular urban natural resources for everyone.”
The Metropolitan Beaches Commission is a permanent commission charged with making findings and recommendations to the Legislature and the DCR on ways to improve the metropolitan region’s public beaches. It was established by the Massachusetts Legislature in 2006 and is led and managed by Save the Harbor/Save the Bay.
According to Acting DCR Commissioner Stephanie Cooper, the pandemic “has taught us what we knew in our hearts: The critical importance of getting outdoors for our collective physical, mental, and spiritual health.” She underscored the Baker-Polito administration’s commitment to equity and inclusion and pointed out that “DCR’s Universal Access provides adaptive programming and equipment at our pools, skating rinks, beaches, of course, lakes, and ponds. The idea is that everybody of all abilities can participate and enjoy themselves at our properties.”
Coleman Nee, CEO of Triangle Inc., who has hosted “Beach: Ability” at Constitution Beach in East Boston as part of Save the Harbor/Save the Bay’s Better Beaches program partnership with DCR, thanked the commission and Save the Harbor/Save the Bay for their leadership on this issue.
“I cannot stress enough the positive impact on mental health and spirits of those who attended ‘Beach: Ability.’ Our program participants love the beach, and they love the ocean,” said Nee. “In truth, these beaches are public assets, and they shouldn’t only be available to the disability community during an event once a year; they should be available all the time. We need additional investments; we need more walkways and ramps; we need proper equipment; we need mobi-mats; we need floating wheelchairs at every beach; and we need all bathrooms and snack stands to be ADA compliant.”
As the hearing drew to a close, the MBC’s co-chair, Sen. Brendan Crighton, of Lynn, thanked Save the Harbor/Save the Bay and the dozens of community members who took part in the hearing, saying, “The powerful testimony we heard today will help shape necessary improvements on the commonwealth’s public beaches to ensure that these resources are always accessible for all.”
MBC Co-Chair Adrian Madaro shared that sentiment. “Our state beaches are public treasures that belong to all of us,” said Madaro. “We need to advance environmental justice and center diversity, equity, and inclusion so that people of all backgrounds, conditions, and abilities can enjoy them for years to come.”
The Metropolitan Beaches Commission welcomes public participation and will accept written testimony from all interested parties. Email your comments to rodriguez@savethe harbor.org.
