Jessica Geiszler, Communications Manager, County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation

County of San Diego Parks and Recreation is transforming outdoor spaces to give people of all ages and abilities the opportunity to enjoy and appreciate the great outdoors. In all that we do, we place special emphasis on programs that are inclusive and accessible for people of all physical needs.

Accessibility

Parks and Recreation is working through a robust ADA transition plan and proposing new projects with every amenity we open. Recent examples include four ADA cabins at Dos Picos County Park, elevated garden plots at Sweetwater Community Garden, and paved walkways from the parking lot to key picnic areas at Live Oak County Park. A playground was also revamped at San Dieguito County Park, mixing standard equipment with specialty apparatus, and incorporating rubberized surfaces, ramps and multi-level sensory experiences for a truly inclusive play space. A shortlist of flatter, easier trails was created for folks with mobility issues, including Lindo Lake County Park, San Elijo Ecological Reserve, and Ramona Grasslands County Preserve. We’ve even produced a series of virtual hikes that allow trail exploration from the comfort of a desktop or mobile device (this YouTube playlist is a must-see)!

Youth

Parks and Recreation has programs that encourage youth to play outside like TRACK Trails, which are educational scavenger hunts designed for kids with chances to win prizes at seven parks. SD Nights is a program geared toward teens, offering safe places to learn and socialize during critical after-school hours. They host intergenerational activities that link seniors to youth via tutoring, sports and group camping trips – a big focus for our community centers in Fallbrook, Lakeside and Spring Valley.

Women

They also founded Women in the Wild, a program designed to inspire more women to participate in outdoor activities and STEM careers via education, connection and conversation.

More active, avid hikers can benefit from trail industry blogs, our Easy2Hike partner app and affiliate website: getoutsidesandiego.org.  

Make time for recess! Choose your own adventure at over a hundred parks and preserves managed by the County of San Diego. Learn more: sdparks.org and view our seasonal program guide which highlights hundreds of free recreation opportunities across San Diego!