Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Parks department highlights expanded adaptive recreation, reopens Telephone Pioneer pool under Ability360 partnership
Loading...
Summary
Staff told the board the department is expanding adaptive recreation through partnerships with Ability360, Special Olympics and others, reopening Telephone Pioneer Pool for adaptive aquatics and using bond funds and ADA upgrades to improve accessibility across parks.
The Parks and Recreation Department presented an update on adaptive recreation, emphasizing partnerships and capital work to expand access to high-quality programs for residents with disabilities.
Assistant Director Marty Whitfield and Assistant Director Brandy Barrett described long-running programs and partnerships with organizations such as Ability360, the Arizona Department of Economic Security Division of Developmental Disabilities, Special Olympics Arizona and the Heart in Education and Recreation Therapy Foundation (the Heart Center). Whitfield said the department’s "partners program," based at South Mountain Community Center, has served adults with disabilities since 1988 and provides life-skills, social and recreational opportunities.
Why it matters: Department leaders said adaptive services increase independence and community connection for participants and that partnerships help the city reopen facilities and expand offerings faster than the department could do alone.
Key details - Partnerships and programs: The department works with Ability360, Special Olympics Arizona, Diamond Dogs of Arizona and Arizona DES Division of Developmental Disabilities to provide adaptive sports, clinics, life-skills programs and year-round Special Olympics opportunities. - Telephone Pioneer Pool: Staff said Ability360 will operate an inclusive aquatics program at Telephone Pioneer Pool; the pool had been closed since 2020. The city’s golf program also partners with Ability360 for adaptive golf at Encanto 9, Encanto 18, Aguila 9 and Papago Golf Courses. - Equipment and competitions: Staff highlighted a ‘‘Caramobile’’ stand-up assist device that allows adaptive golfers to stand and swing; the city hosts regional and state Special Olympics competitions and adaptive golf events with nonprofit partners. - Camp Collie and Heart Center: The Heart Center provides nature-based, inclusive outdoor experiences at Camp Collie with archery, equestrian activities and other adaptive programming. - ADA and capital projects: The department said $2.2 million from the city’s bond program was awarded to renovate the Telephone Pioneer recreation center, including ADA upgrades; staff pointed to recently completed projects such as an ADA-accessible playground in Council Park (opened May 2024) and a sensory room at Cesar Chavez Community Center.
Discussion and follow-up Board members and public commenters praised the partnerships. Brielle Carter, senior manager at Ability360 Sports and Fitness Center, thanked the department and described planned wheelchair basketball tournaments supported by the Phoenix Suns initiative and a new playground donation at Telephone Pioneer Park planned for November.
Staff said they will continue to add adaptive recreation coordinators (the department recently added two) and to coordinate with state agencies to ensure compliance for services funded through the Arizona DES Division of Developmental Disabilities.
Ending: Department leaders said adaptive programming will continue to grow through partnership-driven operations and targeted ADA capital work to make Phoenix parks and facilities more accessible.
