ACTIVITIES | PROGRAMS

What is Special Recreation?

The Springfield Park District provides recreation programs and leisure services for residents with disabilities. Inclusion and specialized programs are available.

We provide quality recreation programs for people with disabilities by hiring and training qualified staff, providing staff ratios which ensure program safety and success, and adapting programs and equipment to meet the needs of the participants.

To learn more about our special needs programming
please call 217-503-4576.

L.E.A.P.

Our Program is called L.E.A.P. and stands for Leisure Education and Adaptive Program.

Special populations we serve include but are not limited to: learning disabilities, physically impaired, behavioral problems, visually impaired, multiple disabilities, or those with any other special needs. All attempts are made to place participants in programs according to their inclusion needs, age, and peer group.

INCLUSION

The Springfield Park District understands that not every person with a disability needs to participate in our special needs programs. If you feel any program offered by the Springfield Park District would better meet the needs of you or your child, and you just need inclusion accommodations, simply follow these steps.

Register (at least two weeks in advance) for the program of choice and check the box on the registration form that states, “I need a modification because of a disability to enjoy this program.”
Contact Andre Hawkins, Special Recreation Supervisor, at ahawkins@springfieldparks.org
Park District staff will complete a phone intake to assess your needs and determine how we can best facilitate your enjoyment of the program.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS

To learn more about our Special Olympics programs you can reach the appropriate staff here by clicking the button to the right and choosing the Recreation & Marketing tab.

To learn more about our Special Olympics programs just reach out to the Staff on your right.