Parks & Recreation

Therapeutic Recreation

Mission

Therapeutic Recreation uses recreation and education services to assist citizens and visitors with illness, disabilities, and other conditions to develop and utilize their leisure in ways that will enhance their health, functional abilities, independence, community involvement, and quality of life. The Therapeutic Recreation office coordinates programs for challenged individuals at various Clearwater locations.

Through our programs we strive to:

• Provide education through leisure opportunities
• Reduce depression, stress, anxiety
• Develop self esteem through participation
• Provide emotional and social support to participants
• and their support system
• Increase community involvement
• Adapt activities as necessary, to ensure the success of participant

Current Programs

• Baseball
• Beach Access
• Sunshine Limitless Playground
• Golf
• Aquatics
• Seniors
• Wheelchair Sports
• Tennis

Baseball

Challenger Little League Information

Beach Access

Beach Wheelchairs are available at the Main Guard station at Pier 60 or you may ask any lifeguard tower for assistance in retrieving one between the hours of 9:30am - 4pm.

Sunshine Limitless Playground

Located at the Long Center
1501 N. Belcher Rd.

The Sunshine Limitless Playground was completed in July of 2006. The playground is 70% accessible. Play components to were designed to meet a wide variety of play needs for children of all abilities. The many facets of the playground include musical instruments, ramped play structure, sensory butterfly garden, elevated sand tables, and more. Park also has a grill and covered picnic area. Picnic area is on a first come basis. Bathrooms are to be completed by July 2007.

Golf

Golf is offered on a seasonal basis in conjunction with the Special Olympics. Season begins in May and runs through September. If you are interested in participating or volunteering please contact Dawn at 727-793-2320 ext. 227.

Aquatics

Interested in the learning how to swim, exercise or participating in competition. Various programs are available at City of Clearwater facilities. Clearwater Adaptive Aquatics Team practices on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7pm - 8pm from May through September they do offer the opportunity for athletes to participate and compete in Special Olympics. For more information you may contact the Long Center at 793-2320.

Seniors

City of Clearwater facilities offer a wide variety of programming for seniors. Don't just think bridge, think: Trips, Education seminars, Cooking classes, pottery, work outs, water exercise and more. Check the local listing at a facility near you.

Wheelchair Sports

The City of Clearwater is in the development stages of a wheelchair sports program. If you are interested in recreation or competitive please contact Dawn at 727-793-2320 ext. 227.

Tennis

Let our pros at the McMullen Tennis Complex help you. Are you interested in lessons, camp, or competition?

Upcoming Events

• Prom 2007
  Saturday, August 18th
  6:30pm - 10pm
  Countryside Recreation Complex
  $ 25 per person
  Evening includes dinner, corsage or boutonniere, souvenir of the evening, and all the dancing you can handle. Gets your best duds on and enjoy Prom 2007. Tickets go on sale July 2nd - August 10th. Tickets will not be sold at the door.
• Dinner & Movie Night
  Long Center
  Thursday, September 20
  6:30pm - 8:30pm
  $ 3.75 with Play Pass
  $ 5.00 with Recreation Card
  $ 6.25 without Card
  Come and enjoy an evening without the folks.
• Make A Difference Fishing Tournament for Children with Disabilities
  Saturday, October 6
  For registration information please call Make A Difference Fishing Tournaments at 727-447-0115
• Costume Ball
  UPARC Cafeteria
  Friday, October 12
  7pm - 9pm
  $ 2 per person/ Group leaders & companions are free
  Wear your best costume. Costume contests and more. Light snack is provided.
• Make A Difference Fishing Tournament for Adults with Disabilities
  Saturday, November 3
  For registration information please call Make A Difference Fishing Tournaments at 727-447-0115
• Dinner at Kobe's Japanese Steakhouse
  Thursday, November 15
  5pm departure from Long Center
  $ 5 for transportation
  Enjoy our annual holiday outing to Kobe's. Enjoy catching up with friends and making new ones. Bring your appetite. Meal price is the responsibility of the participant.

Resources

Whether just moving into the area or long time resident some helpful resources, more specific resources are available.  Please contact Dawn at 727-793-2320 ext. 227 for more information and resources.

• Clearwater Challenger Little League - 727-441-9047, or e-mail ClearwaterChallengerBaseball@gmail.com
• Pinellas County Special Olympics - 727-462-1556, or e-mail SOPinellas@aol.com
• Family Village Community Center Florida Disability Resources
• NICHCY - National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities
• United Cerebral Palsy
• Family Network on Disabilities of Florida
• National Center on Accessibility
• National Down Syndrome Society
• Center for Autism and Related Disabilities at University of South Florida
• ADA Information Line - voice 800-514-0301/tdd 800-514-0383

Contact Therapeutic Recreation

Dawn Lewellyn, CTRS
City of Clearwater Therapeutic Recreation Supervisor
727-793-2320, ext. 227
dawn.lewellyn@myclearwater.com