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Beach Ambassador Ken Tauer paralyzed veteran and B.E.A.C.H.E.S. disability issue advocate. Special thanks to:
Paralyzed Veterans Association of Florida ADA compliance? This is the first set of 8 stairs in the pedestrian road underpass tunnel to the beach from the north parking lot so-called "handicapped" parking — there are 8 more stairs to the right after you make the 90 degree turn on the landing. All other tunnels have similar stairs. This is handicapped compliant?
The existing handicapped lot east of the road by Ocean Rescue headquarters has only 9 spaces available, which quickly fill on weekends.
Tunnel ramps, or a new handicapped lot? Both or either would be good. A new lot was already envisioned in the 2001 Haulover Master Development Plan. After 11 years, let's move forward! Let's stop the nonsense about 3 years either to pave a new lot or build tunnel ramps. If Wal-mart can build a complete new store within a year, with parking lots and ADA accessibility, there is no excuse for this procrastination on ADA accessibility at Haulover Park. Come to Jesus! And what would Jesus say? "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me." (Matthew 25:40) We're only talking about a small parking lot and/or ramps here. |
Main Haulover Beach info page > ADA info CURRENT PROVISIONS Parking: Beachside: Nine handicapped spaces are available in the lot near the lifeguard headquarters, just south of the naturist beach. This lot fills to capacity early on most weekends. Additional spaces are beachside in the lot one mile south of the naturist beach. Bayside: handicapped spaces are available in the parking lots throughout the park across the road from the beach, but stairs from the pedestrian tunnels to the beach are problematic for persons without assistance. Beach wheelchairs available: Beach wheelchairs of several designs are now available for free use by those with disabilities. The chairs are available at the Ocean Rescue headquarters just south of the naturist beach area and may be reserved by calling Ocean Rescue at 786-336-6990. CONTINUING ADA ACCESS EFFORTS
update January 2012: A meeting was held on January 19, 2012 at the Paralyzed Veterans Association of Florida office featuring comments of Lucy Binhack and Joe Webb of Miami-Dade Parks and Recreation Department on ADA access plans. The Parks Dept. favors the tunnel ramps, though imformation is sketchy at present: no financial analysis, or detailed construction plan available. update August 2011: B.E.A.C.H.E.S. The Celebrated Nude festival raised $2,048 toward the purchase of MobiChairs (the retail cost of one MobiChair). B.E.A.C.H.E.S. intends to purchase four as funds become available. Additional donations are welcome and are tax-deductible. update July 2011: As an alternative to a new parking lot, Joe Webb, Haulover Park planner, informed Ken Tauer that he has design plans for wheelchair accessible ramps connecting the North Parking Lot and Parking Lot #1 tunnels to the asphalt bike/pedestrian path, by way of 190 ft. ramps. Mr. Webb said the project would take 12 to 18 months. However, we have not yet been able to confirm that this project has been approved, scheduled or funded. We do not consider it an optimal alternative for wheelchair-reliant visitors or those with respiratory issues, because of the longer distance involved from car to beach, plus the approximately 8 foot up-slope of the 190 foot ramps. March 2011: B.E.A.C.H.E.S. Foundation has been addressing access for persons with disabilities at Haulover Park with the county for a very long time. At issue is the long-promised provision of additional handicapped parking spaces east of A1A at the north end of the clothing-optional beach (as proposed by South Florida Free Beaches, and included in the 2001 Haulover Master Development Plan approved by the County Commission), and also the removal by the Parks Dept. of the wheelchairs that B.E.A.C.H.E.S. obtained for Haulover Beach in 2005. B.E.A.C.H.E.S. now plans to raise funds to purchase Mobi-Chairs and Mobi-Mats to enhance beach accessibility for persons with disabilities. James Delleur, a licensed civil and traffic/transportation engineer, and Ken Tauer, an engineer and a paralyzed veteran, have been working with B.E.A.C.H.E.S. on ADA compliance projects, especially the additional new parking lot east of A1A. On March 16, Shirley Mason, Executive Director, addressed a ADA summary letter to the Miami-Dade County Commission on Disability Issues (CODI), including copies of related email discussions, for their help. Read B.E.A.C.H.E.S. letter to CODI and related emails (pdf) On March 22nd, 2011, we received the following response via email: Ms. Mason, I appreciate you including the Commission on Disability Issues (CODI) to foster the support from the community of persons with disabilities and the Miami-Dade County Commissioners with the B.E.A.C.H.E.S. Program. On behalf of CODI, B.E.A.C.H.E.S. will now have the support of CODI to secure your goals. Thank You, Ernie Martinez, Chair of CODI |
— NOW AVAILABLE — Reserve a beach wheelchair by calling Ocean Rescue at 786-336-6990.
B.E.A.C.H.E.S' Executive Director Shirley Mason presents beach wheelchair to Lt. Diaz of Ocean Rescue.
Wheelchair demonstrated by Karen & Mike Deming of Deming Designs, Inc. Special thanks for his generous donation to Ronald Fulton of
toward acquisition of Deming Design wheelchair.
Mobi-Chair donated by B.E.A.C.H.E.S. Foundation Special thanks to B.E.A.C.H.E.S. corporate and individual donors.
Mobi-Mat However, this isn't something you're likely to see. While B.E.A.C.H.E.S. is required by Miami-Dade County to rent mats for special events on the beach (no issue, aside perhaps from the rental fee), the Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection isn't keen on mats extending into the water. Why? We'd like to know too. For additional information, contact Shirley Mason, Executive Director of B.E.A.C.H.E.S. Foundation: ExDirBEACHES@aol.com |