Parks & Recreation

Therapeutic Recreation

Mission

Provide a continuum of services to improve the quality of life, through specialized programs and inclusive recreation opportunities.

Vision for the Future

A community of people connected by play, opportunity, and life pursuits

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
• Private Swim Lessons
• 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.

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 727-793-2339 ext. 238.

Aquatics

Interested in the learning how to swim, exercise or participate 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.

Private Swim Lessons - For persons with disabilities

30 minute class - By Appointment Only

In addition to our current swim lessons, the City of Clearwater is  proud to offer a choice for parents of children with disabilities.  Private swim lessons are now being offered.  If you are interested in small group lessons please let us know.  793- 2339 ext. 238

Instructor Dawn Lewellyn,
Certified Red Cross Water Safety Instructor and
Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist

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

If you are interested in recreation or competitive opportunities please contact Dawn at 727-793-2339 ext. 238.

Wheelchair Tennis Clinics

Henry L. McMullen Tennis Complex  - 1000 Edenville Ave. - 669-1919
McMullen Tennis Complex
Fridays, 5pm - 6:45pm
All Ages

Instructed by: Robert Carlbo, Certified Wheelchair Tennis Instructor

Whether just trying to find out if you are interested in the sport of tennis or an advanced player,  you are sure to have a good learning experience with Robert.  Don’t have your own tennis sport chair, no problem.  You can use your everyday chair or try out one of ours.   Tennis racquets are available for use while at the facility. Tennis is a sport you can play with other wheelchair players or your able-bodied peers. 

So stop making excuses and get out and play!  For more information please contact Dawn at 793-2339 ext. 238

Resources

Whether just moving into the area or long time resident some helpful resources, more specific resources are available.  Please contact Dawn at 727-793-2339 ext. 238 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
• Power Wheelchair Soccer – www.tampabaycrossfire.net
• Florida Spinal Cord Injury Resource Center – www.flspinalcord.us

Contact Therapeutic Recreation

Dawn Lewellyn, CTRS
City of Clearwater Therapeutic Recreation Supervisor
727-793-2339, ext. 238
dawn.lewellyn@myclearwater.com