Phoenix council hears expansion plans for adaptive recreation, Camp Collie and ADA upgrades

Phoenix City Council on April 29 received an update from the Parks and Recreation Department on the city’s adaptive recreation programs, including new partnerships to reopen Telephone Pioneer Pool, expanded offerings at Camp Collie and ongoing Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility upgrades across parks.

The presentation, led by Parks and Recreation Director Cynthia Aguilar, outlined a range of adaptive services and partnerships — with Ability360, the Heart Center, Special Olympics Arizona and others — that city staff say increase opportunities for residents with physical and developmental disabilities. The discussion included program details, participation numbers, costs for overnight camp sessions and council questions about funding and public‑safety responses for people with disabilities.

The update matters because adaptive recreation affects access to public space and daily life for residents with disabilities: staff said programs support physical activity, life skills and social connection and that capital upgrades are underway to make more parks and facilities accessible.

The Parks and Recreation presentation described year‑round and seasonal offerings across the city, including the Partners Program (based at South Mountain Community Center) for adults with developmental disabilities; adaptive summer youth programming; inclusive sports such as wheelchair tennis, adaptive pickleball and adaptive golf; and…