Accessibility Info
Accessibility Programs
Adventure Course 
Aerobics Aquatics Baseball/Softball Basketball Camping Recreation Programs Tennis Track & Field
Adventure Course
Alley Pond Adventure Course
The Alley Pond Park Adventure Course is a challenge course, also called a ropes course, that features both low ropes and high ropes course activities that promote teambuilding and problem-solving skills. A series of elements, or obstacles, challenge participants to come together and work as a team to develop and implement solutions. Each element emphasizes different group characteristics such as self-confidence, communication, cooperation, trust, and leadership. Elements of the Alley Pond park Adventure Course include a “zip–line,” a climbing and bouldering wall, a trust fall station, swings, nets, leaps, and balance platforms.
Visit the Alley Pond Park Adventure Course page for more information.
Aerobics
Sit Aerobic Classes
These classes are designed to help seniors and people with mobility limitations. Classes consist of upper body strengthening as well as a cardiovascular workout.
Al Oerter Recreation Center will be hosting sit aerobics courses on Monday mornings from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m., on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m, and on Fridays from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Please call the center at (718) 353–7853.
Aquatics
Adapted Aquatics for People with Disabilities
This free program offers two activities:
- Aquatic exercise therapy that ranges from gentle water walking to aerobic-type exercise which improves range of motion, flexibility, mobility, muscle tone, coordination, focus and strength.
- Swim instruction that focuses on becoming comfortable in the water and learning basic swimming and safety skills.
Participants must be members of a NYC Parks Recreation Center. No more than 12 people per group. For more information or to register, call (718) 760-6969 ext. 0.
Download the flyer (PDF).
Free Aquatics Instruction (summer)
Bethesda Aquatics, in partnership with Parks & Recreation's Citywide Aquatics Division, offers aquatics instruction to children and adults of all ages at five Parks pool locations during the summer.
Baseball/Softball
Wheelchair Softball
Wheelchair softballis played under the official rules of the 16-inch slow pitch softball as approved by the Amateur Softball Association of America with 15 exceptions that are geared toward the wheelchair user. The game allows individuals a way of playing without the full use of their legs that would allow easy maneuverability in a wheelchair and keep the fast pace of softball. Practices are held Thursday nights starting at 5:30 p.m. May through September at Bulova Park.
Basketball
Wheelchair Basketball
Wheelchair Basketball practice is Monday nights from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Roy Wilkins Recreation Center in Queens and Tuesday night from 7:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. at Al Oerter Recreation Center in Queens. These are open to children and adults with physical disabilities. For more information on wheelchair basketball, you can visit the National Wheelchair Basketball Association.
Camping
Accessible Camping
Friday and Saturday nights in July and August, the Urban Park Rangers host a free and accessible camping experience for families. Friday and Saturday nights in July and August, families can join the Urban Park Rangers for an accessible camping experience at beautiful Alley Pond Park in Queens.
More information on Family Camping
Recreation Programs
KEEN Program
Kids Enjoy Exercise Now (KEEN) is a national, nonprofit volunteer-led organization that provides one–to–one recreational opportunities for children and young adults with mental and physical disabilities at no cost to their families and caregivers. Neither income nor the severity of a child's disability is a barrier to joining a KEEN program. Its mission is to foster the self–esteem, confidence, skills, and talents of its athletes through non–competitive activities, allowing young people facing even the most significant challenges to meet their individual goals. KEEN New York programs take place at Recreation Center 54 in Manhattan and St. Mary's Recreation Center in the Bronx.
Thank you to all the wonderful athletes and enthusiastic volunteers for making our first session such a blast. Special thanks to Victor Calise and the New York Parks and Recreation Department for helping bring KEEN to Manhattan and to the Bronx.
Adapted Sports Program
Every Saturday from February 4 through April 30, Parks is offering a free adapted sports program for children with physical disabilities between the ages of 5 to 17 at Al Oerter Recreation Center. Each week our coaches will lead drills and friendly competitions to encourage skill development. Children in the program will learn the basics of adaptive basketball, (wheelchair mobility, dribbling, shooting and passing) and track and field (wheelchair racing, ambulatory racing, and the technique of throwing a javelin, discuss and shot put). Participation in the adaptive sports program may lead to competitive events throughout the tri-state area. For more information or to register, call (718) 353-7853, or email accessibility@parks.nyc.gov.
Tennis
Adaptive Tennis
Wheelchair tennis is an exciting activity for people with mobility limitations. Wheelchair tennis has similar rules as able–bodied tennis except for the wheelchair and a two–bounce rule.
Queens: Wheelchair tennis practice is every Sunday at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows Corona Park from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Beginners are asked to come from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. only and should contact Aki Takayama at Takayama@usta.com or (718) 760–6251 before arriving to practice.
Brooklyn: The Prospect Park Tennis Center is open daily from 7 a.m. – midnight and is fully accessible to people with disabilities. Through the Special Aces program, the tennis center now offers group instruction for children with disabilities.
More information on the Prospect Park Tennis Center
Watch an It's My Park segment about Wheelchair Tennis
Track & Field
Paralympic Sport New York City
Teens and young adults, register now for this three-week Paralympic track & field program!
Related Video
It's My Park video segment on Wheelchair Sports in NYC Parks
