FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 18, 2019
DEP Partners with Florida Disabled Outdoors Association to Host SportsAbility Event
~Annual event promotes accessibility with leisure activities and resources~
 TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Park Service partnered with the Florida Disabled Outdoors Association (FDOA) on April 13 to host SportsAbility at Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park. The annual festival features a resource expo with music, art, dance, and other sports and leisure activities and clinics.
Since 1990, SportsAbility has promoted active living by providing first-hand access to resources and activities designed to encourage recreational participation regardless of age or ability level. The outdoor portion of the free, three-day event was hosted at the park, giving participants the opportunity to try activities such as parabadminton, rock climbing, water-skiing, scuba, sailing, kayaking and disc golf.
“Outdoor recreation offers so many benefits to health and well-being, and FDOA is doing great work to make sure everyone can enjoy those benefits,” Florida Park Service Director Eric Draper said. “SportsAbility is a terrific event, and I’m happy that Florida State Parks is a partner.”
“People of all abilities come to SportsAbility and learn all there is to experience at Florida State Parks,” FDOA Executive Director Laurie LoRe-Gussak said. “At SportsAbility, people with and without disabilities can try everything from sit water-skiing to horseback riding, scuba and more. Participants come back to the parks to enjoy the trails, accessible camping and kayaking, and to experience nature.”
DEP is proud of its commitment to providing accessibility for all visitors within Florida’s state parks and other state-managed areas. The department continues to expand access to facilities, swimming areas, boat ramps and more so that visitors with disabilities can more fully enjoy Florida’s natural resources.
| 
