With its long days and sunny skies, summer is beckoning you to roll away from your busy life to head down the Shore where just like Ken, your only job will be “Beach”. If the notion of Sand, Sea, and Wheels gives you pause…take heart; the 20+ accessible beach areas dotting New Jersey’s 127 miles of coastline are waiting to show you that down the shore everything’s alright.
One or indeed three of the jewels of Jersey Shore accessibility are The Wildwoods. Wildwood, Wildwood Crest, and North Wildwood cover a five-mile island, 38 blocks of Boardwalk, and endless stretches of free white sand beaches that welcome patrons of all ages and abilities. Inclusive amenities across The Wildwoods include down to the shoreline surf chairs, ramp access to the beach and Boardwalk, accessible toileting facilities, and The Jitney Wildwood Shuttle. According to Greater Wildwoods Tourism Authority Director of Marketing and Public Relations Ben Rose, for over a decade, The Wildwoods have had a dedicated inclusivity initiative. “It has always been our mission that The Wildwoods’ beaches are free and accessible to visitors and residents of all abilities,” Rose said.
Wildwood
The Wildwood Boardwalk is extra-wide and paved, making it easier for wheelchair and adaptive equipment users to navigate through. There are ramps to access the Boardwalk at Schellenger Avenue and Rio Grande. Can’t wait to dip your toes in the sand? Cresse Avenue has direct ramp access to the beach. All beaches have accessible pathways to the waterline. One of the incredibly useful inclusive options in Wildwood is the Beach Taxi. It takes disabled beachcombers from the Boardwalk at E. Bennett Avenue, E. Spicer Avenue, E. Maple Avenue, and the beach parking lot at E. Baker Avenue down to the waves and back. The taxi operates from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend.
Fear not! Disabled beachgoers are not relegated strictly to the sand! The Beach Patrol at Lincoln Ave and Ocean has free surf chairs available on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations are encouraged. Every beach access point has accessible toileting options.
Wildwood Crest
With 39 out of 41 streets in Wildwood Crest having wheelchair-friendly access to the beach, a day of sun and surf has never been so stress-free. Surf chairs are available first-come, first-served at the Rambler Road Beach Patrol location. Accessible toileting facilities are at nearby Sunrise Park. In addition, the Beach Patrol levels up your beach day with daily free transportation to the waterline. From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, disabled and senior visitors and residents can call Beach Patrol for a ride between any street in the borough and the water between 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.
North Wildwood
With ramp access at Inlet Beach, 7th, 10th, 15th, and 20th Avenues, North Wildwood welcomes disabled patrons to the beach and Boardwalk and with ease. The Beach Patrol at 15th Avenue has 22 surf chairs available for free on a first-come, -serve basis. On the Boardwalk, accessible restrooms are at 7th Street and 15th Street. North Wildwood provides accessible parking at 15th Ave & the beach and 1st & Surf Avenues. North Wildwood honors New Jersey parking regulations, whereas drivers with a placard or handicapped license plate parking in metered areas throughout the city must pay the posted amount, but if they pay the maximum time allowed at the meter, they may remain for up to 24 hours without additional payment.
The Wildwood Shuttle
Any adaptive technology user knows the twin pains of getting to point A and B compounds when realizing point C and D are further afield. The Wildwoods have an easy and accessible solution. The Jitney Wildwood Shuttle is a stop-on-demand service between The Wildwoods. Their fleet is wheelchair accessible and features wheelchair lifts and gives all passengers the same flexibility and convenience when traveling through the Wildwoods.
Rose encourages visitors and residents to start planning their time in The Wildwoods by reaching out to the Wildwood, Wildwood Crest or North Wildwood Beach Patrols to inquire about surf chairs and transportation needs. But he also encourages visitors and residents alike to remember the 38 blocks of accessible boardwalk featuring over 200 restaurants, retail shops along with the arcade, fully accessible Amusement Pier and Convention Center. There is one spot that is critical for a quintessential Wildwoods experience whether it is your first or 50th visit.
“You have to get your photo taken at the iconic Wildwoods sign,” he said.
At 19 feet tall and 80 feet wide, this stainless-steel icon was installed in 2007 and resides at the intersection of Rio Grande Avenue and the Boardwalk. It is one of the most photographed locations on the island and features a 24-hour livestream. From frolicking in a surf chair to getting shuttled by the Jitney, The Wildwoods is truly a disability-friendly destination.