Articles

Driving Over Boundaries And Climbing Obstacles
Features Kate Layton Features Kate Layton

Driving Over Boundaries And Climbing Obstacles

Hosted by Oakland County Parks (OCP) in Michigan, Disability Dirt Days pair volunteer, off-road vehicle (ORV) drivers with participants with disabilities for thrilling rides around Holly Oaks ORV Park. The park is situated on former and active gravel mines and offers a wide variety of extreme terrain for ORVs.

Read More
Hit It Out Of The Park
Sports Fields, Editor's Pick Troy Houtman Sports Fields, Editor's Pick Troy Houtman

Hit It Out Of The Park

On a Saturday morning at Miracle Field in Wichita, Kan., one will find a group of special athletes participating in America’s pastime—baseball. While some use wheelchairs or walkers, others are blind or have intellectual disabilities—all are ready to have a swing of the bat, round the bases, and catch a ball.

Read More
Beyond Basic
Parks, Most Popular Logan Garrett Parks, Most Popular Logan Garrett

Beyond Basic

Over the past decade, parks and recreation departments have been creating playgrounds that extend beyond basic Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. Playgrounds are expected to meet standards regarding ramps and surfacing, but now communities around the country have begun to build play environments that are truly inclusive for people of all ages and abilities.

Read More
Embrace Adaptation
Aquatics Bryan Buchko Aquatics Bryan Buchko

Embrace Adaptation

Larry French stood in the marina in Safety Harbor, Fla., eyeing kayaks on a trailer. The 67-year-old above-elbow amputee looked at his right arm, which ended just 4 inches below his shoulder, and

Read More
Bryan Buchko Bryan Buchko

Powered By Nature

While many playgrounds are designed with good intentions, they often lack the environment to keep children and adults interested. In 2013, the city of Elk River, Minn., set out to change this.

Read More
Parks Bryan Buchko Parks Bryan Buchko

Kids Are Common Denominator

Parks and playgrounds provide some of the greatest memories of youth. For children, playing in a park, on a playground or at home is more than just fun. It is a way of exploring the world around

Read More
Columns Bryan Buchko Columns Bryan Buchko

Clues

Our five year old, Sam, began Kindergarten this fall. In hopes of reducing any separation anxiety, his older brother and sisters began "selling" the concept of going to school throughout the month of

Read More