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The Kennebunks now have two new beach wheelchairs for public use. One chair is stationed at the Narragansett condominiums for use at Kennebunk beaches, and the other chair will be stationed at the Tides Beach Club at Goose Rocks Beach.  COURTESY PHOTO

KENNEBUNK and KENNEBUNKPORT — Thanks to sustained fundraising efforts and generous donors, the Kennebunks now have two new beach wheelchairs to loan out to the public.

One chair is stationed at the Narragansett condominiums for use at Kennebunk beaches, and the other chair will be stationed at the Tides Beach Club at Goose Rocks Beach.

Both are available to rent through the towns’ recreation departments, Kennebunk Rec ($20/daily) and Kennebunkport Parks & Recreation ($15/daily).
The Kennebunk-Kennebunkport-Arundel Chamber of Commerce spearheaded the initiative two years ago after fielding multiple requests for beach-accessible wheelchairs.
“We researched options in the area, and there were very few in the area, and none in Kennebunk,” said Laura Snyder Smith, marketing and events manager for the Chamber. “We had a mother call, looking for a wheelchair for her daughter, who was returning home from Boston in a wheelchair after a paralyzing accident. That really stuck a chord because the beach is one of the most therapeutic places in the world for me, for many people. Everyone should be able to access our local beaches.”
Over the next two years the Chamber collected donations raised at the 2016 Harvest Fest pancake breakfast, 2016 Prelude shuttle, 2016 Prelude Gingerbread House Festival, plus donations from McNamara Family Foundation in memory of Tommy McNamara, the Kennebunk Portside Rotary, Kennebunk Rotary Club, Rosa Slack’s Kennebunk High School advisory class and the Bruen family.
For rental details and information, call the Chamber at 967-0857 or visit GoKennebunks.com.

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