Accessible South Florida: Barrier Free Family Recreation

Family recreation in South Florida is available to all regardless of ability.  Beaches across the area have beach wheelchairs, pools have chair lifts and playgrounds now are being built with ramps so that the entire family can participate in play!  South Florida Finds wanted to make a list of some wonderful places to go with the whole family so that no one feels left out. We realize that sometimes a parent, grandparent, aunt/uncle or child with different abilities may feel challenged to locate places to go with friends and family.  Have fun exploring some of these wonderful options!

Accessible Beaches

Palm Beach County

1) Delray Municipal Beach: Located at South Ocean Boulevard, the Delray Municipal Beach is not just one of the most beautiful in south Florida region, but also one of the most accessible for differently abled people. The beach features a raised covered pavilion, a wooden walkway, and an an extended observation deck providing spectacular views of the Atlantic ocean. There's a handicap parking available next to these amenities, and, across the Atlantic Avenue, there is a brand new accessible restroom facility at Sarah Gleason park. There are also surf chairs available for the physically challenged, free of cost, on a first come first serve basis. 

2) RG Kreusler Park: Located at 2882 South Ocean Boulevard, the RG Kreusler Beach provides beach surf wheelchair facilities to the differently abled. The handicap access and the wheelchair facility can be availed of at the southern end of the Kreusler Park, at Lake Worth beach. 

3) South Inlet Park: Located at 1100 South Ocean Boulevard in Boca Raton, the beach at South Inlet Park provides beach surf wheelchair facility to the physically challenged. Visitors should contact a lifeguard to arrange for its use. 

4) Carlin Park: Located in Jupiter, the beach at Carlin Park provides beach surf wheelchair facility to the physically challenged. Visitors should contact a lifeguard to arrange for its use. 

5) Ocean Reef Park: Located in Riviera Beach, the beach at Ocean Reef Park provides beach surf wheelchair facility to the physically challenged. Visitors should contact a lifeguard to arrange for its use. 
 

Miami Dade County

1) Crandon Park Beach: Located in Key Biscayne, Crandon Park Beach offers beach wheelchairs that are custom designed for sandy surface, and provide easy maneuverability. However, these wheelchairs are made available on a first come, first serve basis, so it is advisable that you call ahead to make sure you do not miss out.

2) Haulover Beach: Located in Miami Beach, visitors can avail of wheelchair facility for the disabled at this beach. Once again, you should take care to call ahead, as these chairs are made available on a first come first serve basis. 

3) Miami Beach: The city of Miami Beach provides both motorized and manual beach wheelchairs to visitors through out the year. These wheelchairs are available at 1001 Ocean Drive and South Pointe Park, and visitors desirous of availing the facility should pick them up at the earliest as they are made available on a first come, first serve basis. While the manual wheelchairs can enter water up to 6 inches deep, the motorized wheelchairs are suited only for land. 

4) Sunny Isles Beach Pier Park: Located at Collins Avenue, the beach at this Park has accessible restroom and shower facilities and provides wheelchairs on a first come, first serve basis.

5) Virginia Key Beach Park: Located at north end of Arthur Lamb Jr. Road, the beach here has accessible restroom and shower, with wheelchairs available on a first come first serve basis. 
 

Broward County

Fort Lauderdale Beach Park: Another city beach in Fort Lauderdale where handicapped visitors can avail of a range of facilities including accessible restrooms, accessible showers, accessible parking and accessible picnic tables and grills. 
 

Monroe County

1) Higgs Beach in Key West: Compliant with ADA guidelines, the Higgs Beach offers accessible shower and restroom facilities to visitors along with manual beach wheelchairs. 
2) Sunset Point Park: Located in Key Largo, the beach at Sunset Point Park offers beach wheelchairs to visitors on a first come, first serve basis. 
3) Burr Beach: Located in Tavernier, the Burr beach has manual wheel chairs available to visitors on a first come, first serve basis.