Specialized Recreation

Specialized Recreation

The City of Rocky Mount Parks and Recreation Department is committed to serving Rocky Mount residents and visitor's regardless of ability. In compliance with the American with Disabilities Act, our department is committed to ensure accessible programs and services.

Special Populations

Special Populations is dedicated to provide recreational opportunities for developmentally challenged individuals from age three to senior adult. Special Populations is divided into three sub-sets: Therapeutic Recreation, Community Outreach, and Inclusion.

Therapeutic Recreation

Therapeutic Recreation consist of Special Olympics. Nash County Special Olympics offers training and competition at the local, state, and national levels. Competitive programs offered are:

  • Athletics

  • Aquatics

  • Bocce

  • Bowling

  • Basketball

  • Softball

Special Olympics

In May of 1970, the "Flame of Hope" was lit at the first North Carolina Special Olympics State Games. This Olympic tradition, and the courageous success of these Special Olympic athletes, marked the beginnings of a new and exciting movement in North Carolina, including the Rocky Mount/Nash Special Olympics Program.

Current Special Olympic Committee Members are: Chris Koufopoulos (Coordinator), Shirley Freeman, Mark Davis, Harriet Brown, Gloria Collins, Chris Silver, Cynthia Vierheller, Irene Brown.

The Rocky Mount/Nash Special Olympic Program has multiple credentials of its own. These include:

  • 1st local program in the State of NC to represent the State twice in the prestigious Penn Relays.

  • 1st local program in the State to travel internationally to represent the US in the Althea Gibson Jamaican Relays in Kingston, Jamaica.

  • 1st program in NC to participate in the 1992 Olympic Trials in New Orleans, LA to compete on a national level.

  • Recipient of the U.S. Air/North Carolina Special Olympics Commitment of Excellence Award in Athletics.

  • Selection to represent the State at the 1995 World Games in Connecticut.

Community Outreach

Community Outreach offers programs and services for individuals with developmental/intellectual impairments. Programs offered are:

  • Dances: Halloween Party, Winter Dance, Valentines Dance, and Prom

  • B.I.N.G.O.

  • Karaoke

  • Art Projects

  • Monthly Outings

Inclusion Services

Inclusion within the Parks and Recreation Department means that individuals with disabilities are welcome to participate in the same recreation programs/services as their peers without disabilities. Reasonable accommodations are provided to enable an individual's successful participation in a program. Examples of reasonable accommodations include:

  • Ongoing training for support staff.

  • Enhance staff/participant ratio (two weeks notice).

  • Adaptive equipment and/or supplies.

  • Accessible transportation provided as part of program/services (two weeks' notice).

What is not a reasonable accommodation:

  • Separate areas or alternate activities for a significant portion of program.

  • Exception to minimum program guidelines.

  • Individualized Therapy within a program.

  • Purchasing customized devices.