Cumberland Adds Hippocampe for Recreation

Cumberland Municipality is buying a Hippocampe to loan to residents with mobility issues.

Sometimes described as an all-terrain wheelchair, the five thousand dollar Hippocampe will assist people with canes, walkers, or wheelchairs to take part in numerous recreational activities, year round.

The highly adaptable chair converts from beach mobile to trail rider. It can also be mounted with skis for winter use, as shown in the photo below.

Vicki Weaver of the county’s recreation department says, “People who typically feel isolated will suddenly be able to experience Cumberland County at its fullest.”

The Hippocampe will be purchased from funds that were allocated for another recreation project that is not ready to launch this year.

Cumberland Council also approved a beach mat and beach wheelchair that will be stationed at Heather Beach each summer.

The Hippocampe may be borrowed for up to three weeks at a time as part of the county’s loan program to open access and inclusion in active living.

The closest such equipment would be found in Halifax, and the nearest accessible beach is in PEI.

The beach mat, wheelchair, and Hippocampe should be available this summer.