Volunteer Spotlight: Brad Davis

Brad Davis has been a volunteer for 10 years at the CMAA Therapeutic Recreation (TR) Complex. Brad works in all areas of the Therapeutic Recreation Complex. He helps assist at the reception desk with greeting customers, provides information about the facility and answers phone calls, and he helps with cleaning and setting up equipment for events and programs.

Brad is one of biggest advocates for Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation, Special Olympics Florida & Arts4All FL-Palm Beach County. He is always willing to assist with activities, events and campaigns, and truly has an effect on everyone he talks to, even if it is just putting a smile on their face.

The biggest personal benefit he’s received as a volunteer with our department? Building relationships with all of the staff and customers at TR. He loves to be around people, he loves to help others, and he loves to advocate for TR. Volunteering with Palm Beach County provides him with purpose and excitement.

Brad is a great volunteer at TR because he is flexible and willing to help with anything. Not only is Brad a helpful part of our team, but he encourages friendship and teamwork among everyone.

Outside of volunteering, Brad works at Publix and loves to participate in Special Olympics Florida and Arts4All FL-Palm Beach County. Brad also loves to sing, dance, swim and play tennis!

DESTINATION RECREATION 8: THERAPEUTIC RECREATION COMPLEX

Welcome to the eighth episode of Destination Recreation! We take you through different Palm Beach County parks and facilities in each episode – giving you a unique peek at what you can experience at our more than 110 locations throughout the County.

On this episode, we guide you through all the fun and learning that can be had at the CMAA Therapeutic Recreation Complex inside John Prince Park in Lake Worth. Staff at the Therapeutic Recreation Complex are committed to enhancing the quality of life for people with disabilities and their families, and thereby increasing the public’s knowledge and sensitivity. The complex offers adaptive recreation programs that promote leisure and play, training and skill development, resource and referral services, community awareness and education, and more. Watch the latest episode to hear the stories of those who use the TR Complex!

Don’t miss an episode – follow pbcParks on WordPress or subscribe to our YouTube channel to see each episode of Destination Recreation, which is released monthly.

Opportunities for exercise for families with children who have a disability

The Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department is committed to enhancing the quality of life for children and adults with disabilities, as well as their families. Find out all the ways families can enjoy exercise with children who have a disability.

Therapeutic Recreation Complex

The Palm Beach County CMAA Therapeutic Recreation Complex is a facility designed for individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities. The facility incorporates a state-of-the-art design with sophisticated adapted equipment that allows everyone to participate in sports and physical activity. People of all ages and abilities can train and compete in sports, participate in fitness programs, and experience a wide array of visual and performing arts programs. Kids and parents can play a variety of sports at the TR complex, including wheelchair basketball, boccia, goalball, wheelchair rugby, and more. Gleneagles Country Club Aquatic Center is also located at the TR Complex in John Prince Park and is open from April thru September; pool lifts are available for individuals with physical disabilities to assist with entering the water.

John Prince Park Wheelchair Course

Palm Beach County parks allow children and families a chance to exercise and live active lifestyles, regardless of age, gender or ability. During a visit to John Prince Park in Lake Worth, you’ll find a nearly half-mile long Wheelchair Course. Participants can travel down the trail, completing a series of exercises at seven stations throughout the course. Each stop includes clearly marked instructions on completing the exercises.

Barrier-free playgrounds & accessible equipment

Three barrier-free playgrounds located in John Prince, Lake Ida West, and Burt Aaronson South County Regional Parks provide children with and without disabilities a colorful, sensory-rich, accessible experience to run, jump, roll and slide. Newly-installed accessible playground equipment is also available for children to enjoy at Lake Worth West Park in the Central part of the county. Palm Beach County playgrounds are inspected and beautifully-maintained to ensure the safest and most enjoyable experience for families and children.

Fitness zone^®, Stations & Exercise Courses

Select Palm Beach County Parks offer Fitness Zone^® Exercise Areas, Fitness Stations and Exercise Courses for all abilities to utilize. At John Prince Park, a Fitness Zone^® allows parents and kids the opportunity to use 17 pieces of outdoor, resistance exercise equipment that uses one’s own body weight for strength-training purposes. The equipment is accessible for people of all abilities. Fitness stations with accessible equipment are also available at Westgate Park and Lake Worth West Park. Families can also spend time stretching, bending and balancing at exercise courses in a number of parks located throughout Palm Beach County.

For more information on enjoying our parks with children who have a disability, visit pbcParks.com.

John Prince Park welcomed national, international athletes for 16th annual Knock and Roll Tournament

Wheelchair Rugby players from South Florida, Tampa, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Michigan, Philadelphia, Jacksonville and Switzerland went head-to-head for the trophy in a three-day tournament at the Club Managers Association of America (CMAA) Therapeutic Recreation Complex in Lake Worth.

Wheelchair Rugby, or Quad Rugby, is a game for individuals with disabilities; the players glide down the court, bumping and hitting each other’s chairs along the way, in what makes for an exciting and powerful sport meant to increase athletic participation among individuals with physical disabilities.

The CMAA Therapeutic Recreation Complex is owned and operated by the Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department and is located in John Prince Park at 2728 Lake Worth Road in Lake Worth. Providing for athletic programming and facilities is one of the department’s core services and it is firmly committed to the spirit of and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). For more opportunities for healthy, happy living, visit www.pbcparks.com.

Watch the below video to hear from some of the athletes who competed, including our local team, the South Florida Rattlers.