Grant from Florida Power & Light adds two accessible trams to service in Florida State Parks

Henderson Beach State Park and Oscar Scherer State Park each receive new accessible trams through $45,000 grant.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Henderson Beach State Park in Destin and Oscar Scherer State Park near Sarasota have each received a new, accessible electric tram as the result of a generous grant from Florida Power & Light (FPL).

Park staff from Oscar Scherer State Park join representatives from Florida Power & Light to debut a new accessible electric tram.

The $45,000 grant, made available through FPL’s charitable arm, the NextEra Energy Foundation, directly funded two trams and further increased FPL’s commitment to accessibility in Florida’s award-winning state parks. FPL has previously funded accessible trams at John D. MacArthur Beach State Park (North Palm Beach) and Hugh Taylor Birch State Park (Fort Lauderdale).

“These trams have been immensely popular, and we are thrilled to see them added to service in the Florida Panhandle and Southwest Florida,” said Julia Gill Woodward, CEO of the Florida State Parks Foundation.

“We want every visitor to have an amazing experience when they visit our state parks, and we appreciate Florida Power & Light for being such a dedicated partner in the pursuit of this goal.”

Park manager Brian Addison of Henderson Beach State Park joins representatives from Florida Power & Light to debut a new accessible electric tram.

Each park is receiving a MotoEV Electro Neighborhood Buddy – a six-passenger wheelchair-accessible tram that can accommodate those with mobility challenges who use wheelchairs, motorized scooters or other mobility devices. Each tram features a four-kilowatt AC motor that can travel up to 50 miles on a single charge. The trams will help to reduce both emissions and engine noise and operate at an average cost of about one cent per mile.

“Florida is blessed with beautiful beaches and state parks that should be enjoyed by everyone,” said Kate MacGregor, FPL vice president of environmental services.

“FPL is honored to fund these trams to help all Floridians and visitors to more easily access these popular outdoor destinations and enjoy their unique natural surroundings in a sustainable way.”