Burlington Recreation & Parks

Overview:

  • Organization name: Burlington Recreation & Parks

  • Purpose/mission: To provide diversified leisure opportunities involving a wide variety of programs at well-maintained and strategically located facilities that may enhance the quality of life for all residents within our community

  • Population served: Burlington community members

  • Services/programs/resources offered:

      • Accessible Recreation

          • Daphne's Fragrance Garden: Daphne’s Fragrance Garden was “designed for the visually impaired, but is a gift to all people.” The garden contains 42 varieties of plants, including fragrant junipers, knockout roses, and boxwoods. It also features a fountain, a waterfall, arbors and two pergolas, making it a perfect place for reflection on a spring day. Signage is provided in Braille and printed brochures are available so that all people can experience and learn about Daphne’s Fragrance Garden.

          • TOPSoccer: TOPSoccer is a community based program for participants, ages 5 years and older, with physical and intellectual disabilities. The goal of this program is for young athletes with special needs to develop physical fitness, technical skills and self esteem through the game of soccer. BRPD partners with the Elon University Soccer Team to provide this opportunity.

          • Specialized Recreation: The Burlington Recreation & Parks Department offers several programs for persons with developmental disabilities. Our goal is to try to incorporate and mainstream individuals in our programs in order to prepare them socially for their future in the work force and other leisure activities. All of our facilities and existing programs are open to all of those with special needs.

              • Special Populations Dance

              • Bingo Night

              • Bowling League

              • Dinner Club

              • Fun Fridays

          • Camp Green Leaves: A summer day camp coordinated by the City of Burlington Recreation & Parks Department for children and adults with developmental disabilities. The camp schedule includes activity rotations in the outdoors, including swimming, arts and crafts, music, sports and games, and supervised free time. The camp also features daily active field trips on buses/vans to local parks and recreation facilities, as well as trips around the Piedmont area. Participants are grouped by age. Staff to participant ratio is 1:2.

              • All participants must be independent with mobility, feeding, toileting and all self-care needs. Participants should participate in group activities and must be able to stay with the group.

              • Participants who are not self-sufficient will be required to have a one-on-one personal assistant, which the parent/guardian must provide.

              • Participants must have manageable behaviors and healthcare needs. They must be exempt from any extreme health-care conditions or needs. Camp Green Leaves is not able to accommodate participants needing assistance with ambulation due to uneven and rugged terrain.

      • Arts & Culture

      • Athletics & Aquatics

      • Community Centers

      • Special Events

  • Costs/requirements to participate:

      • Many free opportunities; others vary in cost depending on the program

  • How families can access more information if interested in pursuing: