Elevating Accessibility: Meyers Beach Ramp Project

National Park Service Director Chuck Sams and Jeff Rennicke, Executive Director of Friends of the Apostle Islands, descend the staircase at Meyers Beach, near the future site of an accessible ramp.

NPS / Billy Flynn

Draft of accessible ramp plan for Meyers Beach.

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore (APIS) is committed to enhancing accessibility for all visitors. With improvements made annually—including the construction of island boardwalks, restroom upgrades, and accessible campsites—the park has prioritized inclusive access. In 2019, APIS opened a new visitor center and fully accessible outdoor exhibits at Little Sand Bay.

Since then, APIS has been collaborating with Friends of the Apostle Islands (FAINL) on their Access For All - Friends of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore initiative. The goal of this program is to remove barriers to accessing and experiencing the wonders of Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. One of these barriers is a staircase at Meyers Beach.

These stairs are currently the only way to reach this beautiful beach and the kayak launch for accessing the mainland sea caves. Building a universally designed ramp will remove this accessibility barrier for kayakers and beach goers.

“Universally designed infrastructure benefits everyone,” said Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Superintendent Lynne Dominy. “Whether you are in a wheelchair, walking with crutches, need a flatter slope for better balance, or if you are pushing a stroller, this ramp serves you better than stairs.”

In the past year, FAINL successfully raised $325,000 for the ramp project and secured additional funding through the National Park Foundation and the NPS Centennial Challenge Program. In 2016, Congress passed the National Park Service Centennial Act to enable parks to match non-Federal donations on at least a 1-to-1 basis for signature projects or programs. The Centennial Challenge Program has invested in a wide range of projects that align with agency priorities, including a focus on improving visitor facilities. The Meyers beach ramp project was selected because it creates universal access to a popular NPS destination and provided 66% of the project's funding from two partners—Friends of the Apostle Islands and the National Park Foundation. The National Park Foundation (NPF) is the official charitable partner for the entire National Park Service (NPS). The NPF immediately stepped-up to match the FAINL funding to support this important accessibility initiative.

While visiting the lakeshore at the end of August, NPS Director Chuck Sams met with members of the FAINL board and NPS staff to see the existing stairs at Meyers beach and to hear about the ramp project for which they secured funding.

The NPS is fortunate to have partners like FAINL and the NPF, who support the expansion of equitable and accessible recreational opportunities for all by addressing essential infrastructure improvements, such as the ramp at Meyers Beach.

Meyers Beach in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.

NPS Photo / Billy Flynn

National Park Service Director Chuck Sams with Friends of the Apostle Islands Board of Directors at site of Meyers Beach accessible ramp project.

NPS Photo / Billy Flynn