Oakland County, MI
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Contact Info
Parks & Recreation
Administrative Office
248-858-0906
Info@OaklandCountyParks.com
Waterford, MI 48328
Programs & Services
248-858-0916
Adaptive Recreation
All Abilities Welcome!
Inclusion services are offered so that individuals with disabilities can participate in any program or event hosted by Oakland County Parks.
A certified therapeutic recreation specialist coordinates programs for individuals with disabilities and provides training to staff and volunteers to assist individuals during general recreation programs. Partnerships with more than 30 non-profit agencies, schools and disabled sports organizations enable Oakland County Parks to cooperatively provide unique recreational options.
The Quiet Zone is sensory inclusive space where sensory regulation tools, such as noise reducing headphones and fidget tools, are available.
For additional information, call 248-221-8040 or email OCPrecreation@oakgov.com.
Therapeutic/Adaptive Recreation Resource Guide
The RIM Foundation, Oakland County Parks and Disability Network Eastern Michigan have developed the Therapeutic/Adaptive Recreation Resource Guide to share knowledge and resources related to recreational therapy throughout Michigan.
Information will be updated quarterly as organizations are added, removed or changed.
We welcome your feedback! To share your ideas or updates, please complete the Suggestion Form in the guide.
Upcoming Events
There is always something happening at Oakland County Parks! Be sure to register early as programs do tend to fill up quickly. Program registration opens six weeks prior to the date of each event. Print the 2025 Calendar of Events for Individuals with Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities and the 2025 Adaptive Recreation Calendar of Events to see what we have planned for the whole year at a glance!
Register online for Adaptive Recreation programming
Disability Dune Day
Wheels in Motion, in partnership with the DNR and Oakland County Parks, invites individuals with disabilities to participate in an exhilarating afternoon featuring exciting SXS, Jeep and other four-wheeling adventures. This second annual special event will be held from 2-7 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Silver Lake Sand Dunes in Silver Lake State Park, 8969 W. Fox Road in Mears.
Register online or by scanning the QR code on the Disability Dune Day Flyer. For more information or questions, call Billy at 810- 215-9799.
- Printable Disability Dune Day Flyer
Adaptive Kayaking - PROGRAM IS FULL
Learn to kayak during a one-hour session from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 16 in Independence Oaks County Park, Clarkston. This event is presented by the RecConnect: Adaptive Recreation & Wellness, Disability Network Eastern Michigan and Oakland County Parks.
No kayaking experience is necessary. Equipment and life jackets are provided. A $10 donation is encouraged. Contact the RecConnect team at 586-268-4160 for questions or accommodation requests.
Register by scanning the QR code on the Adaptive Kayaking flyer or visit https://DNEM.RecDesk.com. This event is sponsored by Blue Cross, Blue Shield; Consumers Energy, Huron Clinton Metroparks
- Printable Adaptive Kayaking Flyer
Adaptive Cycling
Enjoy a 1-hour bike ride throughout the park during monthly Adaptive Cycling sessions. Choose a bike, date and one-hour time slot between 2-6 p.m. on the following dates: Sept. 18, Sept. 25, Oct. 9 and Oct. 16. All riders must wear a helmet. Bring your own or wear one available at the event. Scan the QR code on the Adaptive Cycling flyer or visit https://DNEM.RecDesk.com for registration information. All abilities are welcome. For more information, call 586-268-4160 or email REC-IT@DNEMichigan.org.
- Printable Adaptive Cycling Opportunities Flyer
Special Olympics Young Athletes Program
Special Olympics Young Athletes™ is a sport and play program for children with and without intellectual disabilities, ages 2 to 7 years old. This free, eight-week program will be held from 4-5 p.m. Thursdays, Sept. 25, Oct. 2, Oct. 9, Oct. 16, Oct. 23, Oct. 30, Nov. 6 and Nov. 13 at the Pleasant Ridge Community Center, 4 Ridge Road in Pleasant Ridge.
Young Athletes introduces basic sport skills like running, kicking and throwing. Children learn how to play with others and develop essential skills for learning.
A caregiver must attend with their child. Call 248-221-8040 or email OCPRecreation@oakgov.com to register.
- Printable Special Olympics Young Athletes Program
Fallin' Into Fun
Join us for Fallin' Into Fun, a day of fall fun including an accessible wagon ride, cider, donuts and crafts to celebrate all things autumn. This free event is for all ages and abilities from 1-3:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26 at Addison Oaks County Park, Trails Edge Pavilion. Preregistration is required. Scan the QR code on the Fallin' Into Fun flyer to register.
For questions, call or text 248-221-8040 or email OCPrecreation@oakgov.com.
Disability Dirt Day
Experience off-roading at Holly Oaks ORV Park during Disability Dirt Days from 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19. An off-roading ride will be provided for a rider and one guest (must be at least 10 years old) during this special event, which is presented by Detroit 4Fest, Wheels in Motion, Rehab Without Walls and Oakland County Parks. Registration is required by scanning the QR code on the flyer below. Those who register will be sent a confirmation email with additional details prior to the event date. For program questions, text or call 248-221-8040.
- Printable Disability Dirt Days Flyer
Halloween Happiness
Relax with friends while enjoying music, dancing, trick or treating, carnival games and Jet's pizza during Halloween Happiness from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22 at the Southfield Civic Center, 26000 Evergreen Road in Southfield. This event is for individuals ages 16 and older with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Cost is $10/person (participants and caregivers). Preregistration is required by Friday, Oct. 17. Register online or call 248-858-0916 to register.
For questions, call or text 248-221-8040 or email OCPrecreation@oakgov.com.
- Printable Halloween Happiness Flyer
Jingle Bell Ball
Individuals ages 16 and older with intellectual and developmental disabilities are invited to attend one of two Jingle Bell Ball events. Each includes music, dancing, a visit from Santa and Jet's pizza. A gift will be available for participants only. The Jingle Bell Ball will be held from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11 or Friday, Dec. 12 at the Waterford Oaks Event Center.
Cost is $10/person (participants and caregivers). Preregistration is required by Friday, Dec. 5. Call 248-858-0916 . to register. For questions, call or text 248-221-8040 or email OCPrecreation@oakgov.com.
- Printable Jingle Bell Ball Flyer
Kick Start 2026
Celebrate the start of the new year during Kick Start 2026 from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9, 2026 at the Royal Oak Mahany/Meininger Community Center, 3500 Marais Ave. in Royal Oak. Enjoy music, dancing and pizza (served until 6:45 p.m.).
This event is for individuals ages 16 and older with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Cost is $10/person (participants and caregivers). Preregistration is required by Sunday, Jan. 4. Register online or call 248-858-0916 to register.
For questions, call or text 248-221-8040 or email OCPrecreation@oakgov.com.
- Printable Kick Start 2026 Flyer
Additional Resources
Call 248-221-8040 or email OCPrecreation@oakgov.com for more information.
Printable 2025 Calendar of Events for Individuals with Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities
Printable 2025 Adaptive Recreation Calendar of Events
Quiet Zone Events
The Quiet Zone tent is available at selected large-scale community events. Please check back to see where it will be next.
Equipment & Services
A variety of adaptive equipment and services are available:
Accessibility
The Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission makes reasonable accommodations to assist individuals with disabilities, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).