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ACCESSIBLE ACTIVITIES AND RECREATIONAL AREAS

Individual in Wheelchair indicating Accessible Experience

Below is a listing of activities and recreational areas in our community that are accessible to families with children with disabilities. While the resources are not exhaustive in nature, it has been developed by parents of children with disabilities for parents of children with disabilities. We encourage parents to assist us at the Parent Resource Center by working with us to inform families of any additions, changes, or even deletions to the listings.
You can communicate with the Parent Resource Center by simply clicking the form link below, and submitting your information directly and automatically for review.

Let other parents of children know of other accessible activities and recreational areas in our community by clicking the link above!

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES (with Virtual Programming)

Access Arts Charlottesville/Albemarle

Adaptive Recreation – Charlottesville Parks and Recreation

Adaptive Recreation – Charlottesville Parks and Recreation
LINK: https://www.charlottesville.gov/368/Adaptive
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/pg/charlottesvilleparksandrecreation/groups/
EMAIL: adaptiverecreation@charlottesville.gov to receive the links to programs
Phone: 434-962-9519 – to receive monthly newsletters (online)

Ongoing Virtual Programs (Free)
- 45 Minute Fitness – Tuesdays, 2:00-2:45 pm/Fridays 11:00-11:45 am
- Yoga Stretching – Mondays & Thursdays, 5:30-6:30 pm
- Book Club – Wednesdays 4:00-5:00 pm
Rotating Special Programs (Free)
- Specialty programs to include baking/cooking, arts/crafts, Spa Night, Game Night, Music Programs and more.
- You will be sent a weekly list of ongoing and specialty programs with the link to join.
New Fall 2020 VIRTUAL Programs (Registration Required/Fee Based)
- Creative Arts
- Dance Around the World
- Social Skills with Social Distancing – What does it mean?
- The Music in Me

Autism Allies at UVA

Autism Allies at UVA
LINK: autismalliesatuva.wixsite.com/autismalliesatuva
EMAIL: Justin Logan, Co-President, jhl3mn@virginia.edu
INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/AutismAlliesatUVA
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/AutismAlliesatUVA

Autism Allies seeks to foster meaningful relationships between children, teens, and young adults with autism in the Charlottesville community during the academic year.
Online applications are accepted on a rolling basis and a match is made when there is an available mentor that would Suit your child’s interests. Link to request a mentor: https://forms.gle/HiS55PmVWCfgroge9
Fall 2020 Semester: Autism Allies has changed our mentorship program to be mainly VIRTUAL via Zoom, FaceTime, or other platforms.

Best Buddies at UVA

Best Buddies at UVA
LINK: Email Pam Fisher, Region Ten Liaison, at pamela.fisher@regionten.org
Website: https://www.facebook.com/bestbuddiesatuva

Best Buddies seeks to match UVA students with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and foster friendships during the academic year.
A new online application form is being developed and referrals can be made by a Region Ten Case Manager or a family member at this time.
Fall 2020 Semester: Best Buddies matches will only be VIRTUAL at this time. Depending on the volume of applications some matches may be one-to-one or in small group pairings.

Enrichment Alliance

Enrichment Alliance
LINK: www.enrichmentalliance.org
INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/theenrichmentallianceofva/
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/enrichmentalliance

Enrichment Alliance promotes and develops Inclusive out-of-school time programs for all children.
The Enrichment Alliance is posting at-home activities on their blog and compiling a list of VIRTUAL and in-person social distance activities in and beyond the Charlottesville community.

Jefferson Madison Regional Library (JMRL) System

Jefferson Madison Regional Library (JMRL) System
LINK: www.jmrl.org

Fall 2020 Services – Use JMRL’s website ONLINE service to search the catalog selections of books, audio books and DVDs.
Drive-through service at Northside Library and curbside service at all the other branches.
JMRL’s Home Page provides quick access to all VIRTUAL programs at each library branch including: Book Clubs (Day and Evening), Anime Club, English Conversation Circle, Digital Skills for Everyday Tasks, Adult Game Night, and Chair Yoga.
Drop-In Craft Class – JMRL will offering a new craft class twice a month. Keep an eye for this new offering online!

Special Olympics Area 3

Special Olympics Area 3
LINK: www.specialolympicsva.org/shenandoah-region/area-3
EMAIL: Rose Ann Gamma, Coordinator, sovaarea3@yahoo.com

To register and receive sports training session information (online)
Fall 2020 Return-To-Play Fall Sports: Bocce, Golf, Soccer, Tennis and Volleyball with special health precautions and social distancing procedures.
- This Fall there will only be skills practice at various levels.
Zoom Sessions will continue to be developed for athletes and coaches usually held on Saturday afternoons.

STAR – Supporting Transformative Autism Research at UVA

STAR – Supporting Transformative Autism Research at UVA
LINK: https://curry.virginia.edu/faculty-research/centers-labs-projects/supporting-transformative-autism-research-star
LINK: https://autismdrive.virginia.edu/
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/AutismUVA
EMAIL: star-autism@virginia.edu
PHONE: 434-243-7500 – To receive monthly newsletter (online)

In partnership with colleagues across the University, STAR aims to improve the lives of individuals with autism through g roundbreaking research and innovative models for intervention and training.
Fall 2020 VIRTUAL services at this time are being are being finalized. This includes webinars on a variety of topics, virtual counseling and social skills workshops through the Sheila Johnson Clinic.

Young Life – Capernaum

Young Life – Capernaum
LINK: https://charlottesville.younglife.org/find-us/#specialneeds
EMAIL: Grace Gallagher, Team Leader, at gg5ta@virginia.edu

Capernaum seeks to provide relationships and activities through which teens and young adults (students in 9th grade through Post High) with disabilities experience love and community amongst peers with and without disabilities.
No application necessary! Email us to get updates about weekly events.
Fall 2020 Semester: Capernaum will remain online, participating through Zoom activities on Thursday nights to be determined and Facetime.

RECREATIONAL AREAS

PARKS AND NATURAL AREAS

Albemarle County Parks
Charlottesville City Parks
Ivy Creek Natural Area
- The Ivy Creek Natural Area is a 215-acre preserve bordering the South Fork Rivanna Reservoir with 6 miles of trails.
- No dogs (except ADA certified service dogs) are allowed.
Ragged Mountain Natural Area
- The Ragged Mountain Natural Area near Charlottesville, Virginia, is a beautiful 980-acre forest with a lake that serves as part of the community water supply with 7 miles of trails offering wilderness hiking within minutes of town.
- No dogs allowed.
Rivanna Trails
- The Rivanna Trails circumnavigate the City of Charlottesville with walking/biking.
- Rules on dogs on trails vary.

ACCESSIBLE FREE TRAILS

Greenbrier Park Trail
- .5-mile+ accessible (fairly) on crushed stone/boardwalk flat trail for walking/biking along the restored Meadowcreek stream bed. It is a very wide trail with a few benches for resting.
- Leashed dogs allowed.
- Access points with parking are off Greenbrier Drive, but the easiest is at Jamestown Drive.
- Eating options and restrooms close by at Fashion Square Mall.
John Warner Parkway Trail
- 1.6-mile accessible paved trail for walking/biking from East Rio Road to Route 250 Downtown with steep switchback at trail head and parking at CATEC lot.
- Leashed dogs allowed.
- Easier access points are parking at Melbourne Road or Route 250 Allied Shops area.
- Eating options and restrooms close by at Fashion Square Mall and Allied Shopping Center.
Pen Park Fitness Trail
- .5-mile accessible paved loop for walking with 20 exercise stations some slight changes in grade.
- Leashed dogs allowed.
- Accessible behind the picnic shelters which are reservation free to use through the end of 2020.
- Eating options and restrooms close by at Fashion Square Mall; or “To Go’ at the Grill at Meadowcreek.
Pen Park Nature Trail
- 1.5-mile trail along the Rivanna River which does not loop back so in total is a 3-mile trail.
- Leashed dogs allowed.
- Access the trailhead behind the picnic shelters, which are free for all to use through the end of 2020 off the Fitness Trail.
- Eating options and restrooms close by at Fashion Square Mall; or “To Go” at the Grill At Meadowcreek.
- NOTE: This trail is included in this listing as it is at same point as Fitness Trail and may be used by some members of a
  planned group outing.
Riverview Park – Rivanna Trail
- 2.3-mile accessible paved trail for walking/biking, which is flat. along the scenic Rivanna River.
- Check for rules for days of leashed/unleashed dogs.
- Access and parking at Riverview Park.
Rivanna River Trail at Darden Towe Memorial Park
- .5 mile accessible, paved flat trail which is good for all skill levels from the boat launch to Free Bridge of a 4.4-mile trail.
- Leashed dogs allowed.
- Easiest access parking is where the trail begins in Darden Towe Park.
- Restrooms (seasonal) available.
Saunders - Monticello Trail at Kemper Park
- 2-mile accessible (fairly) paved/boardwalk trail for walking/biking on the south side of the Thomas Jefferson Parkway
  (Rt. 53) with a maximum grade of 5%.
- It is part of the larger Kemper Park including an arboretum, amphitheater, a two-acre pond and a boardwalk. Face
  coverings are strongly recommended, especially on the boardwalks and other areas where social distancing is difficult.
- Access and parking from Monticello Visitor Center lot at the head and Kemper Park with limited parking and additional
  parking off Rt 20; Dairy Barn Rd. Trail Map and Parking.
- Eating and restrooms available at the Visitors Center when Monticello is open.
- NOTE: Leashed Dogs are welcome in Kemper Park They are not allowed past the pond on the Saunders-Monticello Trail.
Sentara Martha Jefferson Walking Trail
- 1-mile accessible paved trail (narrower than other trails) for walking around three picturesque ponds with lush grassy
  areas for sitting, picnicking, reading etc.
- Leashed dogs allowed.
- Easier access parking on lower lots near the large pond with the swan as the grade is steeper at upper access points.
- Connect to a private 30-minute reserved visit at the Kluge Rhue Aboriginal Museum nearby.

ORCHARDS AND FARMS

Carter Mountain Orchard
- Masks required, social distancing and no dogs allowed.
- Food available at Country Store &Bakery and the Mountain Grill.
- No picnicking/Restrooms available.
Chiles Orchard
- Masks required and social distancing.
- No dogs allowed.
- The Farm Market offers specialty treats including cider, donuts, ice cream and fudge.
- Picnicking is welcomed/Restrooms available.
Charlottesville - THINGS TO DO (Orchards and Farms)
- Featuring things to do at area orchards, cideries and farms in Central Virginia.

OTHER OUTDOOR OUTING IDEAS (LOW COST / FREE)

Meadowcreek Golf Course at Pen Park
- Masks required.
- Driving Range – Bring your driver and a basket of 40 balls is $7.
- Putting Green – Bring your putter and practice on the green at no charge.
Grill At Meadowcreek
- To Go/outdoor eating for anyone (year-round).
- Connect with a walk on an area trail.
Putt Putt Miniature Golf
- Masks and social distancing; balls and club sanitized after each use.
- Individual Game - $6
- Connect to walking on an area trail or a To Go or packed lunch in a shelter/grassy area at Pen park.

INDOOR IDEAS (FREE)

Fashion Square Mall Walking
- Mall Walking Hours: Monday to Saturday: 8am; Sunday: 10am
- Masks required.
African American Heritage Center at the Jefferson School
- Masks required and all safety protocols followed.
- Self-Guided tours of permanent collection and changing exhibits.
Kluge Rhue Aboriginal Art Collection
- Schedule a private self-guided 30-minute museum tour for groups of up to 8. Masks required and all safety protocols followed.
- Connect a visit to a walk/picnic lunch on lush grass along the picturesque Sentara Martha Jefferson Trail.
Monticello Visitor Center
- Movie (15 minutes) on Jefferson’s World and changing Exhibitions
- To Go/outdoor eating at Café at this time.
- Connect a visit to a walk on the Saunders Trail (2.3 miles, walking/biking accessible trail) and/or Kemper Park.