Wasaga Beach Provincial Park is the busiest provincial park in the province, welcoming more than 1.5 million visitors each year.
Home to the world’s longest freshwater beach, Wasaga boasts 14km of pristine sand, making it a “hot spot” for summer activities.
We want everyone to be able to enjoy a visit to the beach. Here’s a list of our accessible features and where to find them in our park!
Are you planning a trip to Wasaga Beach? Take a look at our tips for a fun, frustration-free visit (and follow the park by Twitter for updates!):
1. What is a Mobi-Mat?® and where do I find them?
Mobi-Mats® are drop-down paths that provide a smooth surface for wheelchairs, strollers and walkers to reach from parking areas to the sand.
They are installed in the park each spring and removed in the fall.
Mobi-Mat® in the beach area 3
Mobi-Mats® do not reach the water’s edge due to water level fluctuations caused by wind, waves and weather.
2. What is a Mobi chair?®?
In partnership with the city of Wasaga Beach, this park has two different style wheelchairs available to borrow.
Both are available (with security and damage deposit) at the park office and the Welcome Center located at the Nancy Island Historic Site.
Mobi-Chair® floating wheelchair
The Mobi-Chair® floating wheelchair is designed to carry visitors from the parking area, across the sand and into the water. Mobi-Chair® users must wear a PFD when using the chair in the water.
The Wheeleez™ Sandcruiser™ all-terrain wheelchair is designed for traversing sandy beaches. Large inflated wheels allow visitors to travel from the parking areas to the beach.
Wheeleez™ Sandcruiser™ All-Terrain Wheelchair
The Wheeleez™ Sandcruiser™ is not designed for use in water, but can be taken to the water’s edge.
3. How do I borrow a Mobi-Chair®?
Both the Mobi-Chair® floating wheelchair and the Wheeleez™ Sandcruiser™ all-terrain wheelchair can be checked out at both the park office (located at 11 – 22nd Street) and the Welcome Center at the historic site. Nancy Island (located at 119 Mosley Street).
Mobi-Chair® and Wheeleez™ Sandcruiser™ in the Welcome Center
Wheelchairs are available for loan on a first-come, first-served basis and must be returned by the end of the day (park office: 5:30 pm; Welcome Center: 4:30 pm).
Visitors must provide a $500 security and damage deposit (cash or credit only), which is refunded once the wheelchairs are returned undamaged.
For more information about borrowing a wheelchair, call the park office at 705-429-2516.
4. What beach areas have accessible features?
Beach areas 1 through 5 offer the most accessible features of the park.
Beach areas 6, Allenwood and New Wasaga do not provide accessibility due to their location and terrain.
Read below for details on the features that can be found in each beach area.
Beach Zone 1
Beach Area 1 offers a Mobi-Mat®, a boardwalk, a fishing platform and accessible stalls within its three comfort stations.
Visitors should note that while the comfort stations offer accessible stations, the doors are not automatic.
Accessible parking and Mobi-Mat® located in the Spruce Street Municipal Parking Lot in Beach Area 1
The Mobi-Mat® can be accessed from the Spruce Street Municipal Parking Lot, located across from the accessible parking spaces.
The Beach Area 1 boardwalk can be accessed from the first parking lot within Beach Area 1 or from the Spruce Street municipal parking lot.
Fishing platform located in Beach Zone 1
The fishing platform can be found halfway to Beach Area 1 on the south side next to the Nottawasaga River.
Beach Area 2
Beach Area 2 offers a Mobi-Mat®, boardwalk, paved/crushed limestone walking path, and accessible kiosks within its two comfort stations.
Visitors should note that while the comfort stations offer accessible stations, the doors are not automatic.
Accessible parking located near comfort station 2B in Beach Area 2
The Mobi-Mat® can be accessed from the Third Street Municipal Parking Lot, located west of the accessible parking spaces.
The Beach Area 2 boardwalk can be accessed from the accessible parking lot near comfort station 2B in the first parking loop within Beach Area 2.
The boardwalk can also be accessed from the Third Street municipal parking lot.
Beach area boardwalk 2
Beach Area 2 accessible features are located near a playground.
Beach Area 3
Beach Area 3 offers a Mobi-Mat® and accessible stations within its comfort station.
Accessible parking in front of the comfort station in Beach Area 3
Visitors should note that while the comfort station offers accessible stations, the doors are not automatic.
Mobi-Mat® located behind the comfort station in Beach Area 3
Mobi-Mat® is located behind the comfort station and can be accessed from the accessible parking spaces located in front of the comfort station using a paved path.
Beach Area 4
Beach Area 4 offers a Mobi-Mat®, paved/crushed limestone walking path, and accessible kiosks within your comfort station.
Visitors should note that while the comfort station offers accessible stations, the doors are not automatic.
Mobi-Mat® located near the comfort station in Beach Area 4
The Mobi-Mat® can be accessed from the accessible parking lot located near the playground in the second parking area.
Visitors can use the paved path to reach both the Mobi-Mat® and the comfort station.
Beach Area 5
Beach Area 5 offers a Mobi-Mat®, a paved/crushed limestone walking path, and accessible kiosks within its comfort stations.
Visitors should note that while the comfort stations offer accessible stations, the doors are not automatic.
Accessible parking located near comfort station 5A in Beach Area 5
Mobi-Mat® is located behind Comfort Station 5A and can be accessed from the accessible parking spaces located in front of the Comfort Station using a paved path.
Mobi-Mat® located behind comfort station 5A in Beach Area 5
Beach Area 5’s accessible features are located near a playground.
Beach Area 6
Beach Area 6 offers accessible kiosks within its comfort stations. Visitors should note that while the comfort stations offer accessible stations, the doors are not automatic.
The parking lot and area surrounding the comfort station is sand and uneven terrain. This location is not accessible.
Allenwood and New Wasaga Beach Areas
Parking lots and areas around comfort stations in the Allenwood and New Wasaga Beach areas are sandy, uneven terrain.
Beach entrance at New Wasaga Beach Area
These places are not accessible.
5. Is the Nancy Island Historic Site accessible?
The Welcome Center, located at the entrance to the Nancy Island Historic Site, is a fully accessible building.
Features automatic doors, a universal bathroom equipped with a full-size changing table, and the Mobi-Chair® floating wheelchair and Wheeleez™ Sandcruiser™ all-terrain wheelchair to borrow at this location (with security and deposit for damages).
Changing table located in the Welcome Center at the Nancy Island Historic Site
The Nancy Island Theater and Museum have ramps at the entrance to the buildings.
Visitors should note that these ramps are not considered fully accessible; however, most visitors find them manageable with a wheelchair or walker.
Entrance to the museum at the historic site of the island of Nancy
The museum is one level once inside. The theater has three levels with two sets of stairs to reach the upper two levels.
The entrance to the theater at the historic site of the Isle of Nancy
Visitors who are unable to reach the upper level of the cinema to view the film have the option of viewing it on a portable iPad and are advised to contact a member of staff for assistance with this.
We hope these features help make your next visit to Wasaga Beach more accessible for you and your loved ones! Are you planning a trip to the beach? Here’s everything you need to know before heading to Wasaga!