By Nan Devlin on David’s Chair
Access to the beach for people with mobility issues just got a lot easier in Pacific City and Netarts thanks to the recent installation of an all-terrain mobility chair that can be checked out for use in the area. David’s Chair is a charitable foundation that provides these chairs for communities in Tillamook County, where residents and guests want to be able to enjoy our beautiful beach access, even when it gets more challenging. The story behind David’s Chair honors the founder, David Hatrick, who wanted to continue to live life to its fullest, even in the face of the ALS diagnosis that ultimately took his life.
In Netarts, the chair is available at Happy Camp Hideaway, 825 Happy Camp Road, and in Pacific City at PC Pour Wine Bar, 33310 Cape Kiwanda Drive. There is also a David’s Chair in Manzanita at the visitor center at 31 Laneda Avenue. To reserve a chair, go to https://davidschair.org/request-a-chair/ or call 503-812-5510.
“Being able to have a David’s Chair here in Pacific City is a joint venture of PC Pour, local resident Jeff Kallevig, Meg’s Beachwood Bar and Grill, and Nestucca Rural Fire Protection District,” said Bob Papke, owner of PC Pour. “At the time, Jeff was working at PC Pour and felt that the location would be ideal for people who wanted to access the beach. He brought the idea to my wife, Tina, and me about how he envisioned safe storage for the chair on PC Pour property. Jeff donated his labor to create the storage area for the chair, and the wheels literally started to turn!”
In addition, PC Pour and Meg’s Beachwood have added Gilgamesh Brewing‘s David’s Chair beer to their selection. The brewer donates a portion of all proceeds to David’s Chair. The chair is installed and ready to go and the beer is ready to enjoy! The charity is also planning a local event to create awareness during Dory Days on July 15th from 10am to 4pm.
In Netarts, Bruce and Teresa Lovelin, owners of Happy Camp Hideaway, heard about the chair and volunteered to host it. Bruce built a storage shed, and Tillamook Coast Visitors Association (TCVA) donated funds to David’s Chair to get it placed there. The Friends of Netarts Bay (WEBS), will also help the Lovelins with reservations and daily maintenance.
In Manzanita, a donor, Vincent Saulino, funded the chair in honor of his late wife, who became disabled and could no longer enjoy the beach she loved so much to visit.
“Our communities have been so helpful in organizing fundraising and making accessibility one our county’s strengths,” said Dan Haag, director of trails, outdoor recreation and accessibility for TCVA. “In addition to the three David’s Chairs, we also have nine beach wheelchairs and three kayak launchers available throughout the county to residents and visitors.”
TCVA has been working closely with the county, cities and nonprofits to make accessibility a primary initiative for those living and visiting Tillamook County. TCVA just completed an Accessibility Assessment of county parks, working with Ashley Schahfer, founder of Empowering Access, a disability and inclusion consulting firm. The study was funded in part by a grant from Travel Oregon.
For more information on mobility resources, go to https://tillamookcoast.com/mobility
