COSTA MESA, CA – Orange County Coastkeeper and the California State Coastal Conservancy are teaming up once again to make California’s beaches and coastal spaces more accessible to all. Through their Beach and Coast Accessibility Program, the organizations will award up to $290,000 in new grants to fund organizations to purchase, maintain, and promote accessibility equipment such as beach wheelchairs, walkers, mats, and kayaks. Launched in 2024, the program has already distributed $100,000 in funds to six inclusive recreation projects across California.
“When someone uses a beach wheelchair for the first time or finally gets on the water in an adaptive kayak, it can be an empowering and transformative experience,” said Genesee Ouyang, education director at Orange County Coastkeeper. “We’ve seen how these moments can be deeply emotional, sometimes even life-changing. That’s what this program is all about: helping more people connect with the coast and experience it on their own terms.”
The latest round of grants will offer up to $30,000 per project. Funding is open to tribes, nonprofit organizations, and public agencies working to provide free access to adaptive equipment on the coast and near lakes, rivers, and bays. Past grantees include:
- Bay Area Outreach & Recreation Program
- Sonoma County Regional Parks Foundation
- NatureTrack Foundation
- Monte Rio Recreation and Park District
- Crystal Cove Conservancy
- Life Rolls On
“We view coastal access not as a luxury, but as a right everyone should enjoy,” said Garry Brown, founder and president of Orange County Coastkeeper. “For decades, we’ve fought to keep beaches clean, public, and protected from threats. Now we’re confronting another barrier: physical inaccessibility. Everyone should be able to experience California’s coast, and we’re proud to help make that a reality through this program.”
To learn more about the Beach and Coast Accessibility Program or to apply for a grant, visit coastkeeper.org/bcap.
