‘Beaches are for everyone’: Beach access mat installed at south end of Pawleys Island

Beachgoers using Pawleys Island’s south-end beach access, one of the largest and most popular accesses in Georgetown County, say they are excited about a new walkway mat installed there this summer.

This new beach access mat was made possible by a partnership between the Town of Pawleys Island, Georgetown County Parks and Recreation, and a non-profit group called Adaptive Surf Project. It is the second mat installed at a beach access on Pawleys Island, the other one being on First Street off Myrtle Avenue toward the north end of the island.

The main goal of the mat is to help those with wheelchairs access the beach, but, of course, it improves beach access for everyone. After its installation, the public seemed thrilled with the mat.

Penny Foran, who has lived in Pawleys Island for 21 years and often comes to the south-end beach access, at the end of Springs Avenue, said she was happy to see the mat installed as it provides stability as people cross the dunes to reach the ocean.

“It’s incredible because it is so much more stable,” she said. “It’s great for handicapped people, but it’s also great for just anybody.”

Baron and Bonnie Pesci, part-time residents of Pawleys Island from Langhorn, Pennsylvania, have been accessing the beach via the south-end access for 19 years. The mat has already made it easier for them when they bring their grandchildren to the beach.

“When we have the grandkids here, we use a beach cart to carry all of our beach supplies,” Bonnie Pesci said. “The steps at other beach accesses can be a problem, but this is just a great idea.”

Deborah Williams from Schenectady, New York, who was visiting the beach with her friends, Lorie Tesiero of Perth, New York, and Carol Peters, who lives in Pawleys. They meet up on Pawleys every September. Williams said the mat helps them get to the beach.

“I like it a lot better because it is easier to walk on,” she said. “At our age, it’s hard to walk in the sand, but this is really nice to walk on.”

Peters said she feels much more comfortable using the mat to access the beach.

“We are older, and we have a hard time getting any traction in the sand,” she said. “So, you know, this gives us a lot less sand to walk on. I love it. I really love it.”

North Myrtle Beach-based Adaptive Surf Project is dedicated to inspiring and nurturing inclusive communities that improve lives through adaptive surfing.

Luke Sharp, founder of the project, said the group received grant funding from the Craig H. Nelson Foundation to install the mat on Pawleys Island, as well as mats in other beach communities. The organization was also able to donate a handicap wheelchair to the town, which is stored and available for use at the south end parking lot. To reserve the wheelchair, call Town Hall at 843-237-1698.

“These mats allow folks who use wheelchairs to get onto the beach,” Sharp said. “Beach matting and beach wheelchairs send a message that beaches are for everyone.”

Pawleys Island Town Administrator Daniel Newquist said he is grateful for the support of Adaptive Surf Project.

“Adaptive Surf Project is an innovative non-profit organization that has recognized beach accessibility as a common challenge for a large percentage of the population,” he said. “Enhancing mobility options for this demographic provides a recreational opportunity that many of us take for granted and makes our beaches more welcoming. They have been great to work with and I look forward to a long-term partnership.”

Newquist added that the mat, approved by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control’s Office of Coastal and Resource Management, is 5 feet wide and about 100 feet long while the one on First Street is 10 feet wide and about 50 feet long.

“The slope of the dune at the First Street access is steeper,” Newquist said. “The south end beach access mat is flatter, making it especially friendly for wheelchair users and people with mobility issues.”

Beth Goodale, director of Recreation & Community Services for Georgetown County, said she is always interested in improving accessibility when possible. She said she is glad that Adaptive Surf Project was able to fund, acquire and install the mat at the south end of the island.

“This project improves accessibility for those with mobility issues and other challenges,” she said. “We certainly hope people will find the mat helpful to access the beach in this location.”

Newquist said the town will consider adding more beach-access mats to replace damaged wooden walkways in the coming years since they make the beach more accessible. He said they also save the Town money because the mats are removable during large storms.

“At the moment there are no concrete plans to install additional beach access mats here on Pawleys Island, but we certainly will be open to future opportunities,” he said. “If any of the other wooden beach access walkways get damaged in a future storm or otherwise fall into disrepair, the Town would strongly consider a beach access mat as a replacement option.”

By Clayton Stairs / tourism manager for the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce