Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) is proud to offer Therapeutic Recreation Services to provide safe, accessible, fun and supportive recreation environments for all persons no matter their abilities. PARD’s Therapeutic Recreation Services include both adaptive and inclusive programs which are facilitated and supported by Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists (CTRS).
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Inclusion Support Services
The Austin Parks and Recreation Department provides opportunities wherein all individuals are accepted, included, and welcomed to participate, play and recreate together. Inclusion Support Services works to support this vision by providing individuals with qualifying disabilities, according to the ADA, modifications needed to be successful in Parks and Recreation Programming. Austin Parks and Recreation welcomes all participants and is committed to remain in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in providing reasonable modifications for program participation.
Inclusion Support Services provides training and resources for all department staff members and modifies programs, as needed, to create inclusive environments. The CTRS staff of the Inclusion Support Services implement individual participant modification plans to create a successful, fun and positive recreation experience. Throughout the year, Inclusion Support Services provides support for PARD participants in summer camps, Out-of-school-time programs, senior centers and community recreation center senior program, nature-based and cultural arts programs. For more information, or to request services from the Inclusion Support Services, please visit the Inclusion webpage, email inclusion@austintexas.gov or call 512-974-3917.
Danny G. McBeth Recreation Center
The Danny G. McBeth Recreation Center was the City of Austin’s first therapeutic recreation center, and the center has been home to year-round adaptive programs since 1986. McBeth is located at Zilker Park, and offers therapeutic recreation programs for youth, teens, and adults with a variety of special needs. These programs include the Good Neighbor Adventure Club (GNAC) adult day program, McBeth Adaptive Sports, youth and teen summer and holiday break camps, after school programs and adult leisure education and recreation programs. Our team of Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists CTRS perform recreation based assessments which are used to develop modifications to programs, activities and staff training, providing opportunities for successful participation. For more information on the programs offered at McBeth Recreation Center, please visit the McBeth webpage.
- Adult Therapeutic Recreation Programs
McBeth Recreation Center Virtual Tour:
Dottie Jordan Recreation Center and Alamo Recreation Center
The newest addition to the Therapeutic Recreation Services are Dottie Jordan Recreation Center (DJRC) and Alamo Recreation Center. Therapeutic Recreation outreach programs began at DJRC in spring 2020. DJRC is set to open a second location of the Good Neighbor Adventure Club adult day program in 2022. Our team of Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists CTRS perform recreation based assessments which are used to develop modifications to programs, activities and staff training, providing opportunities for successful participation.
Alamo Recreation Center is located near downtown Austin, and the facility consists of a multipurpose room, computer lab, a kitchen and an office. The park includes a playscape, multi-use field, Gaga pit, and a covered, lighted basketball court. For more information on the programs offered at Alamo Recreation Center, please visit: Alamo webpage.
DJRC is located in Northeast Austin, and the surrounding pack includes a tennis court, a basketball court, a community garden, and a walking trail. Behind the recreation center is the Dottie Jordan Neighborhood Pool. For more information on the programs offered at Dottie Jordan Recreation Center, please visit: Dottie Jordan webpage.
- Adult Therapeutic Recreation Programs
Fieldwork and Internship Experiences
We are proud to offer fieldwork and internship experiences through Therapeutic Recreation Services. There are currently eight Recreation Therapists, within Therapeutic Recreation Services, who you will have the opportunity to work with and learn from during your fieldwork or internship. Fieldwork students or interns will be given opportunities to facilitate programs in inclusive and/or adaptive settings, practice all aspects of the APIED process, and gain experience in the field of Therapeutic Recreation. For more information, please visit the PARD Internships webpage or contact TRInternships@austintexas.gov.
Volunteers
Therapeutic Recreation Services accepts volunteers for many programs, including:
- McBeth Adaptive Sports as coaches and unified partners
- Monthly Dances
- Special events including Art in the Park
- After school programs
- Friends of McBeth Board
Please reference the McBeth, Alamo and Dottie Jordan websites for contact information about volunteering. The start date for volunteering is contingent on a criminal background investigation.