Swampscott Launches Free Beach Wheelchair Program

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — The donation of two beach-enabled wheelchairs to help those with mobility issues enjoy the Swampscott coastline will be available for free for beachgoers in need later this month.

A Mobi-Chair, designed to glide over sand and float in water, has been donated by Deb Newman and her siblings - David, Jessica, and Bernard. This chair allows users to recline comfortably and enjoy the ocean safely.

A child-sized beach buggy, donated by Nikki Puzzo, founder of the nonprofit Stepping Stones for Stella and co-founder of befree, offers young users the ability to move easily over sand and sit securely in shallow water. The chair is based on a prototype built by Puzzo’s father, Joe Banda. To date, the nonprofit has donated more than 750 buggies to families in need.

Both chairs will be housed in a secure locker at Fisherman's Beach and are available to anyone who needs mobility assistance — regardless of residency.

How to Reserve a Chair

• Call the Swampscott Police Department at 781-595-1111.
• Chairs are free to use and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Users must provide valid identification and are encouraged to bring a companion for assistance, especially when entering the water.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)