“You can tell people, ‘you’re not defined by your disability,’ you can tell them, ‘you have so much to live for,’ but honestly, it’s not enough just to be told that. A person has to have an experience that leads to that belief.”

- Meeche White

Salt Lake County Parks & Recreation has taken action to reevaluate their parks and recreation spaces and to design them to be more inclusive, ensuring that all people—regardless of physical, emotional, or mental capabilities—can enjoy their public recreation spaces. The County has entrusted Place Collaborative to make inclusion the primary goal of programming the new Redwood Recreation. This unique campus will emphasize the County’s Adaptive Recreation program, focusing on court sports and fitness opportunities, promoting access for all.

A large all-abilities pump track, with options for all ages and abilities is being programmed that will include alternatives for all levels and adventure, from adaptive bikes and cycles, to skateboards, scooters, wheelchairs, inline skates, and mountain bikes. The pump track will be naturally zoned and scheduled to ensure safety for skill levels, skill building, and camaraderie.

Playing fields and playgrounds, with inclusive play equipment, ramped surfaces, and adaptive features, will ensure families and individuals of all abilities can recreate together. The design team is focused on making the site an exciting adventure for everyone. The new 100,000 square foot, LEED Gold building is being developed with the help of Meeche White – a leader in developing adaptive recreation for over 30 years, who is constantly looking for opportunities to enrich the facility while promoting key adaptive requirements.

As Recreation Centers serve an important role in our community for the physical, mental, and emotional wellness of participants. This is a particularly important opportunity to adjust barriers for individuals with disabilities who may have been marginalized by inaccessible design.

About 15% of the world population — an estimated 1.3 billion people — experience a significant disability, according to the World Health Organization. As adaptive sports grow, more and more adaptive athletes are pushing the limits of achievement. In 1960 there were 400 Paralympians, while there were more than 4,400 in 2024 at the Paris Paralympics. The involvement of kids with disabilities in adaptive sports cannot be understated. Participation is important for youth development, confidence building, fitness and socialization.

As we are programming and designing this center, the design team was inspired by Josie Svoboda, an occupational therapy doctoral student, who wrote: “Addressing stigmas and misconceptions is fundamental in creating an inclusive community that upholds the inherent right of people with disabilities to enjoy the great outdoors and recreation. To break down these barriers, we need to engage in open conversations that encourage understanding and empathy. By actively involving people with disabilities in the planning and execution of recreational spaces, we promote firsthand experiences that challenge outdated stereotypes. Education is a powerful tool in enabling a more inclusive mindset within the community and transforming recreational spaces into environments where diversity is celebrated. The goal should always be to ensure individuals with disabilities feel empowered” The facilities planning effort is focused on delivering success to a diverse array of local and regional users and organizations.

Our team feels so inspired to create a new benchmark setting facility where EVERY person will be supported and celebrated. Our new center will provide hopeful, sustainable, and exciting spaces that will facilitate physical benefits, mental and emotional benefits, and social benefits.

A study conducted by R. Cook, M. Schmeler and R. Schein at the University of Pittsburg reviews the therapeutic benefits of adaptive recreation. Participation in physical activity and adaptive sports is widely shown to have many benefits for participants. Better physical health is often cited as a benefit to participation in adaptive sports, especially since people with disabilities are at a disproportionate risk for obesity, which can come with a range of other health problems. One study said adults with a disability are 53% more likely to be obese than adults with or without disabilities. Increased weight is also associated with wrist and shoulder injuries in wheelchair users. However, better physical health is not the only benefit. One study found that participation positively influenced quality of life, overall health, quality of family life and quality of social life. Participation in adaptive sports has even been associated with an approximately 4% higher likelihood of employment per year of sports participation.

Additionally, therapeutic recreation, also known as recreational therapy, harnesses the power of leisure activities to improve the overall health and well-being of individuals facing illnesses, disabilities, or other challenges. It is a systematic process designed to address needs across physical, emotional, cognitive, social, and spiritual domains.

Key benefits of therapeutic recreation include:

Better mental health: It can significantly reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress by engaging individuals in enjoyable activities that boost mood, enhance emotional regulation, and provide a sense of accomplishment. Studies suggest that engaging in physical activity through recreational therapy can be effective in reducing depressive symptoms. Creative activities and social interactions during recreation therapy have also been linked to improved mood and emotional well-being, according to Healthline.
Enhanced physical functioning: Therapeutic recreation programs often involve movement-based activities like adapted sports, dance, yoga, or tai chi, improving strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination. These activities can be tailored to individual needs, such as helping with mobility after a stroke or increasing strength and agility in children with autism spectrum disorder.
Boosted cognitive abilities: Activities like puzzles, games, creative arts, and even social engagement stimulate the brain, enhancing memory, attention, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. Research suggests that physical activity, social engagement, and mentally stimulating games can improve and maintain healthy brain function.
Strengthened social connections: Group-based recreational activities foster communication, teamwork, and social bonding, which helps reduce social isolation and build supportive relationships. For instance, group activities such as team sports or arts workshops encourage social interaction and combat feelings of loneliness.
Increased self-esteem and independence: By participating in activities and achieving personal goals, individuals can experience increased self-confidence, a sense of accomplishment, and greater independence in their daily lives.

For more information regarding the benefits of therapeutic recreation refer to Healthline- www.healthline.com/health/recreational-therapy#

Access for ALL!

Q&A with Holli