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 sensory rooms and accessible playgrounds such as the Encanto Park playground opened in May 2024. “Phoenix is home to one of the largest and most diverse park systems in the nation,” Director Cynthia Aguilar said during the presentation.

Staff outlined specific partnerships and site changes: Ability360 and the city operate classes at Telephone Pioneer Park and the park will host new inclusive aquatics programming when Telephone Pioneer Pool reopens after a COVID‑era closure. The Heart Center (also called the Heart and Education and Recreation Therapy Foundation) now operates Camp Collie, a 30‑acre outdoor camp north of Payson that offers nature‑based, therapeutic programming. Chelsea Harden, founder and executive director of the Heart Center, told the council the camp still has summer space available: “We still have plenty of space available,” she said during the virtual public comment period.

Brandy Barrett, assistant director, described adaptive golf offerings and equipment, noting that an “all new ParaMobile … offers golfers with disabilities the ability to traverse the links and stand up to swing their clubs.” Staff said the city’s Special Olympics partnership supports teams and events, including the Special Olympics Arizona Regional Golf Championships and clinics.

Staff provided participation and cost details for Camp Collie: a 3‑day, 2‑night session costs $175 and a 5‑day, 4‑night session costs $275; the teen leadership/counselor training program is reduced to $100 for a 3‑day session and $150 for a 5‑day session. Parks staff said Camp Collie hosted about 265 participants last year and the department’s goal for 2025 is about 400 participants; the Heart Center runs a scholarship program (“camperships”) to reduce barriers.

On facilities and capital work, staff said many parks were built before modern ADA standards and the department allocates annual funding for ADA improvements and uses Phoenix Parks and Preserve Initiative (3PI) funds for larger refurbishments. Staff noted a GO Bond allocation of $2.2 million to renovate Telephone Pioneer Park’s recreation center, including ADA door reconfiguration, restroom upgrades and fire suppression replacement. “We often not only meet, but often exceed ADA compliance standards,” Aguilar said.

Councilmembers pressed staff on geographic equity and sustainability. Councilwoman Ana Hernandez asked which parks have been primary recipients of enhancements and how the department will preserve accessibility if federal standards change; Cynthia Aguilar said the city’s Parks and Preserve Initiative funding provides a multi‑year capital source and that staff will follow applicable guidelines and bring changes to council and the Parks and Recreation Board. When Hernandez raised concerns about police interactions with people who have behavioral or developmental disabilities, Deputy City Manager Lori (presenting on public-safety coordination) described training in the police academy, mobile crisis response and a smart notification system that lets households register vulnerabilities for 911 responders.

Councilwoman Hodge Washington asked how the department gathers input from residents with disabilities. Aguilar said the city uses steering committees, community surveys, outreach through community centers and the park master plan process; staff also maintain an asset database and a five‑year capital improvement program that prioritizes ADA and safety needs. “We go out every year and we have people on our team who rank those,” an assistant director said describing the prioritization process.

Public comment came from partners and program participants. Chelsea Harden of the Heart Center thanked staff and urged wider outreach for Camp Collie registrations; a representative from Ability360 (identified as Gus) praised the city’s adaptive recreation and said “the adaptive recreation that's across the city is like no other.”

No formal council action or vote was taken on the item; the presentation closed with staff offering to follow up on specific council requests and a photo opportunity for program partners.

Registration and more information: Parks and Recreation staff said 2025 Camp Collie sessions are available via the department’s ActiveNet registration system and that Heart Center campership information is posted at theheart‑center.com.