Adaptive & Specialized Recreation

Prop. 1 would invest up to $155 million in parks with no increase in current taxes.

The bond proposal, which is going before voters in a special election April 28, would invest in neighborhood parks, keep parks open and safe, create community gathering spaces, enhance sports and active lifestyles, and help people connect with nature and wildlife.

Learn more and don't forget to vote! Read about it at the link in the first comment.

Do you pickleball? Announcing our newly designated Adaptive Pickleball Court during our Saturday evening Pickleball open play at Schatz Gym on the SERA Campus starting April 18!

To kick off the court, our pickleball pros will be hosting the first of a quarterly series of Adaptive Pickleball Clinics from 3:30 - 5:00PM on April 18. The Clinic and Adaptive Court Open Play are all included in drop in or membership fees ($10 daily drop in to be paid by 3PM at the STAR Center or $25 per month with a Grit City Gherkin membership). Adaptive Clinics will take place once a quarter in 2026: on April 18, July 18, and December 19. The Adaptive court will be available every Saturday during Schatz Open Play.

Open play at Schatz on Saturday evenings runs from 3:30 - 7pm. Clinic players are welcome to stay after the clinic to play during open play. For more information please visit the website: https://www.parkstacoma.gov/activities-and-sports/category/adult-sports/pickleball/

[Image Description: The silhouettes of four pickleball players in wheelchairs playing a game sits atop an informational graphic reading "Adaptive Pickleball Clinics: Practice wheelchair maneuvering, positioning, and pickleball fundamentals in an inclusive environment". Further information includes the above listed dates and clinic times, as well as the link to the website.]

Calling all animal lovers: Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is hosting a Disabilities Adventure Day later this month! The event takes place Saturday, April 25 from 4:30-7:30pm, and promises an engaging, memorable evening at the Zoo for individuals with disabilities and their families. This family event will include activities, keeper chats and more! Check out details and how to register below:

🐅 What: Disability Adventure Day: An accessible experience for individuals with disabilities and their families. An engaging, memorable evening at the Zoo for individuals with disabilities and their families. This family event will include activities, keeper chats and more!
🐻‍❄️ When: Saturday April 25, 4:30-7:30 pm (Final entry at 7:15)
🪼 Who: Individuals (of all ages) with disabilities and their families
🐐 Cost: Tickets are pay what you choose, minimum of $2 per person, with a $10 per person suggested price.
‼️ RSVP required: Visit https://www.pdza.org/event/disability-day/ to reserve your spot.

Accessibility features such as a quiet room, sensory-friendly entrance, increased accessible parking, ASL support, and more will be available as space allows.

For more information, please see the event page on the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium website https://www.pdza.org/event/disability-day/

[Image Description: A family of an adult with two children engage with the jellyfish water feature at the aquarium. The adult holds up one of the children, who is wearing headphones, to touch the feature. A cartoon meerkat is in the corner of the frame. The image advertises "Disability Adventure Day: an accessible experience for individuals with disabilities and their families", includes the event time and date, and link to the website.]

Last Chance Alert‼️ Registration for our Specialized & Adaptive Unified Adventures Spring Break Camp at Point Defiance Park closes early next week. The Unified Adventures Spring Break Camp is intended to bring youth ages 11-16 with and without disabilities together for an enriching, adventurous, and engaging experience exploring one of Tacoma's premiere parks. Non-disabled siblings and friends are welcome!

Follow this link to register: https://www.parkstacoma.gov/activities-and-sports/category/camps/specialized-camps/

Activities will be physically accessible and adapted to as many needs as possible, however families should please note that the group will be in open areas that are not fully contained and will need to be able to follow verbal and/or gestural directions from staff reliably and promptly.

[Image Description: a group on a hike at last year's Adaptive Outdoor Skills Camp at Point Defiance. Hikers include several staff and campers with and without mobility tools on a paved trail in a forested area.]

Last chance! We have another Minis Specialized Hangout coming up this Saturday, March 14th with some spots available. Pre-registration is required and closes on Thursday so don't delay!
💙 Open to Ages 6-12
💙 Socialize with others in a supported environment
💙 Explore Treetops and fun activities at the STAR Center
💙 See more info & Register here: https://www.parkstacoma.gov/activities-and-sports/category/as/specialized/social/

Please send your participant in socks, or provide a pair they can put on.

Does this week's spring-like weather have you dreaming about summer? 🌞 Us too! Mark those calendars: Summer Camps will be visible on our website on March 20, and registration opens on April 1. Camps can be found on our website: https://www.parkstacoma.gov/activities-and-sports/category/camps/

If you hope to use DDA funds for camps, please reach out once you have your camp wishlist to [email protected] with camp and case manager information for approval before registration opens. The approval process can take at least a week to complete so the earlier the better!

[Image Description: Parks Tacoma Adaptive & Specialized Recreation activity poster with the information reading "Save the Dates: Summer Camp Registration - Activities Visible online March 20, Registration opens April 1". In the background is an image of a child in a handcycle followed by an adult staff in a wheelchair on a paved track on a sunny day, with thumbnail images on the left showing various camps scenes include: a group of campers on a forest hike, kids inside a cardboard decorated bus, and kids holding hands on a playground.]

A huge, huge thank you to the approximately 500 of you came out on Saturday to make connections and find community. 🥳 If you joined us on Saturday, thank you - this is your reminder to follow up on that stack of brochures to plan your next adventure or set up those services. If we missed you this time, we'll see you next January!