Momochi Seaside Park, the 31.3 ha beach park that straddles Sawara and Chuo Wards, will become wheelchair-accessible in 2014, the 25th anniversary of its opening. The urban beach attracts 1 million visitors annually, but the steps between the beach and the walkway and the Japanese-style toilets have made it inconvenient for disabled persons and the elderly. Beach administrators Hakata-Wan Kankyo Seibi Co. and Marizon have released a Universal Beach Plan that will cost several tens of millions of yen and are asking City Hall for its cooperation. Under the plan, handicapped parking spaces will be installed in the parking lots along with a slope connecting the walkway to the beach. The beach operators will also make six beach wheelchairs, amphibious wheelchairs with large rubber tires, available for use free of charge. The plan also calls for the construction of one wheelchair-accessible shower room and four wheelchair-accessible toilets. Source: Nishinippon Shimbun 1/17
Momochi Seaside (source: Fukuoka Showcase)
