Mobi-mats a hit with Lewes beachgoers

The City of Lewes crossed its Ts when it came to a solution for foot traffic on crowded beaches.

The city installed wings on its blue mobi-mats this season, creating a T in the sand. The mats are in place on Savannah and Johnnie Walker beaches, the city’s two guarded beaches.

Kay Carnahan, the parks and recreation commissioner responsible for the beaches, said the new additions are proving to be popular with beachgoers.

“They’re really people comfort movers,” said Carnahan. “People will go wherever the mats take them. The great thing about the T is that people will go to the side to take their shoes on or off or call their friends. It’s a real help with traffic.”

Carnahan said the mats were born from the need to improve accessibility for people in wheelchairs and those who have difficulty trudging through the sand.

The wing mats cost the city $859, according to Assistant City Manager Janet Reeves.

Reeves said the city also purchased a floating wheelchair for $2,349, which was paid for by a donation.

“I know it is laborious to put [the mats] in place, but it is time and money well spent,” Carnahan said.

She said her goal is to get more mats in the future.

Carnahan said she has observed that people are using the posted QR code to access beach rules and regulations.

So far this season, she said, the beaches have been busy and the patrons have been quiet. 

“I’m thinking the COVID angst has washed out and people are very happy to be there,” she said.