Grommet Island Park, Virginia Beach

Grommet Island Park stands out as a unique beach park with a distinct purpose. Unlike traditional beach parks, Grommet Island Park holds the distinction of being America's first fully handicap-accessible park, ensuring that everyone, regardless of physical limitations, can relish the beach experience.

The park's inception is deeply rooted in the Thompson family's personal journey, particularly their son Josh Thompson's battle with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. In 2006, at the age of 33, Josh's life was forever altered by this debilitating condition, which led to him being unable to partake in beach outings like he once did. It was this poignant realization that motivated Josh's father, Bruce Thompson, to transform this vision into a reality.

With Grommet Island Park now in place, it caters not only to individuals with disabilities but also stands as a popular destination for families, making it one of the top choices for beachgoers, especially those with kids, who visit from various parts of the country.