Intern outlines adaptive recreation push: sensory den at Dino Days, adaptive Easter egg hunt and swim-team proposal

Lauren Powell, an ASU intern working with the parks department, presented a plan to expand adaptive recreation offerings, highlighted a sensory booth trial at Dino Days and outlined proposals for an adaptive Easter egg hunt, adult adaptive nights and a future adaptive swim team.

Powell said staff created a barricaded sensory area at Dino Days with sensory sand, colored rice, textured tiles, bubbles, fidget toys and digging stations; organizers distributed about 100 take-home sensory boxes and received positive feedback on social media. “Our first comment on the Facebook page, I believe, was that they enjoyed the sensory bin,” she said.

For the adaptive Easter event, Powell proposed separate infield and outfield accommodations: an infield with cones and tables at multiple heights for people who use wheelchairs or walkers, an outfield area using beeping eggs for people with visual impairments and another outfield zone adapted for cognitive and sensory sensitivities where staff will cue the start visually rather than with a loud horn.

Powell recommended partnerships with Special Olympics and Angelfish for sport and swim coaching, suggested hiking programs on Silly Mountain and fishing with park staff as inclusive outdoor options, and proposed quarterly adult adaptive social nights (seasonal activities such as ice skating or pumpkin-patch visits). She said she will complete a swim-team proposal as part of her internship; staff noted she will leave checklists and program notes so the department can continue implementation after her May graduation.

Commissioners praised the work and asked about advertising; Powell said adaptive activities are being included in event listings and that the department had advertised the Dino Days sensory area and the adaptive Easter event alongside the main Easter listing. No formal action was requested.