Programs
Paralympic Sport New York City
Teens and young adults, register now for this eight-week Paralympic soccer and track & field program!
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. Wheelchair tennis practice is every Sunday at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows Corona Park from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Beginners are asked to come from 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. only and should contact Aki Takayama at Takayama@usta.com or 718-760-6251 before arriving to practice.
More information on Wheelchair Tennis (PDF, 408KB)
Tennis program for kids with disabilities
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
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. These classes are hosting in Recreation Centers throughout the city.
More Info on Sit Aerobics Classes
Keen Program
Thank you to everyone who made KEEN New York’s first program a hit. KEEN Sports, launched on January 26th at the East 54th Street Recreational Facility, was attended by some amazing volunteers and children that had a great time while burning some energy playing sports and getting to know each other. The day included activities such as races, bean bag tosses, basketball and bowling just to name a few. We can’t forget the memorable, colorful parachute experience where all participants got together to enjoy one last activity before our “Prouds” session.
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.
More information on Keen Program
Free Aquatics Instruction
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.
More information on Aquatics
Wheelchair Football
Wheelchair Football practices will be Monday nights (April through August) at the the first Wheelchair Football Field in New
York State. The new field will be used for practices and
games, with plans to host a tournament.
More information on Wheelchair Football
Wheelchair Basketball
Wheelchair Basketball practice is Monday nights 7 p.m.-9 p.m. at Recreation 54 in Manhattan and Roy Wilkins 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.
Wheelchair Softball
Wheelchair Softball practices are held Tuesdays (May through August) from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
at Bulova Park in Queens. Open to children and all people with disabilities.
More information on Wheelchair Softball
wheelchair softball instructional video
Power Soccer
What is Power Soccer and Who can play, check out
Power Soccer Fact Sheet
Quad Rugby
Every Thursday night from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Roy Wilkins Park in Queens, quad rugby practice draws participants from all over the city. Open to children and adults with quadriplegia.
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
Accessible 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.
The Owen Dolen Recreation Center
This recreation center provides field trips for disabled children, ages 7-21, on Saturdays throughout the year. During the month of July, they also offer summer day camp for children. Owen Dolen Recreation Center page
The Graniteville Outreach and Therapeutic Recreation Center
This recreation center provides programs and workshops for all special needs groups. Programs include crafts and outdoor playground activities.
Graniteville Outreach and Therapeutic Recreation Center
It's My Park video segment on
Wheelchair Sports in NYC Parks