Walkway across the sand just a dream

The plans to build a plastic walkway across the sand to the ocean’s edge will remain merely as a plan for now, but Manhattan Beach city officials have promised to pursue the idea.

Manhattan Beach senior resident Evelyn Frey has proposed a nylon plastic mat pathway to stretch from The Strand across the sand to the water.

The plan originated from Frey’s own frustrating experience of not being able to trudge across the beach due to her aging body. “I couldn’t make it back (across the sand), a volleyball player had to carry me,” said Frey at the Sept. 2 City Council meeting.


After doing some research and finding that New York has four plastic mat pathways, trademarked as Mobi-Mat, down to the ocean, as do 58 other East Coast sandy recreation areas, Frey decided to pursue the idea. She originally presented the ocean pathway for the elderly and disabled to Councilman Mitch Ward and ultimately the proposal has made its way to council chambers. On Sept. 2, the City Council chose not to approve the mat because Los Angeles County only approved a partial walkway, one that would stretch from The Strand to about halfway down the beach and only in the El Porto area.

“Don’t bother with it, save the energy and money,” said Frey after hearing that the path could only be built halfway to the ocean.