Warwick Mayor Joseph Solomon unveiled plans for nearly $600,000 in improvements to the Oakland Beach boardwalk Wednesday morning, including increased wheelchair accessibility and playground improvements.

 According to Solomon, the improvements include a new boardwalk, a splash park, upgrades to the playground and pedestrian entry improvements. The project will also include environmental enhancements. 

Solomon especially emphasized that these efforts would make the beach handicap accessible. He explained that he had a close relative – his father in-law the late Walter Santos - who used a wheelchair, but that access to the coastline was limited due to the lack of accessibility. This motivated him to make sure all of the improvements are Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible.

 “The associated ADA approved beach mats will provide direct wheelchair access to the waterfront,” Solomon said.” I don't know where I've seen that, I haven't seen that too often anywhere. And being confined to a wheelchair, being able to go close to the water like that brings a lot of joy and happiness for many, many people who don't possess the physical ability to do what we sometimes take for granted. Kids of all abilities will be able to play on the upgraded playground that also will be handicap accessible and also for the handicap expensive accessible splash pad We're also going to approve accessibility to the pedestrian plaza entrance leading from the sidewalk and parking areas to the beach and playground will have important ADA access.”

 The project will also include the installation of a new seawall and new paving.

“The coastal buffer improvements will help reduce erosion, improve stormwater filtration and can help restore native plants and pollinators,” Solomon said.

According to Solomon, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) received 55 applications for its Green Space Grant program, with Warwick receiving $400,000 for this project. The remaining $196,000 of the project is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant Program. 

Megan DiPrete, chief of the DEM’s Division of Planning and Development, said that Warwick submitted their grant application late last year. The project is expected to begin construction in the fall of 2021.

“I have wonderful memories of coming to Oakland Beach as a young boy with my parents and my five sisters,” Solomon said. “It was one of the biggest treats that we would have in the course of our summer months. The improvements that we're announcing today mean that more families, and people of all abilities will enjoy this great state.”

 Ward 6 City Councilwoman Donna Travis said she and the Oakland Beach Association have wished for improvements for years, coming up with several master plans over the years to do so. She said that she’s excited to finally see their ideas come to fruition.

“My mother was in a wheelchair, and there were times, I mean, I brought it down and it was hard to even get a little bit close to the beach without a wheelchair on the sand. So, to see that everyone is going to enjoy all ages, you know, no matter who they are or what age they are or whatever they're going to be, enjoying the beautiful scenery here, enjoying the facility, the great view and the whole thing for everyone."