Join Our Vision for a Healthier, Inclusive Community

Everyone deserves a healthy, active, and connected life. For over a decade, ACCESS of Wilmington has broken down barriers to wellness through adaptive sports, recreation, and fitness. Now, we’re taking a bold step forward by building an Inclusive Recreation Center. ACCESS is honored to be given land in the new Olsen Farm Recreation Village to build a fully accessible facility that will expand our reach and help people of all abilities thrive.

NEXT STEPS: ACCESS is in planning sessions with our community partners to create an innovative and transformative welcoming space for our children, adults, Veterans and First Responders.

Community Input and Informational Sessions to be announced soon. We look forward to engaging our ACCESS family and our broader community as we move forward to support our incredible ACCESS Community!

The Incredible Need

1 in 3 North Carolinians are living with a disability.
Adults with Disabiliies are 3x more likely to experience heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes
People with disabilities are 5x more likely to experience a mental health crisis
Nationwide 17 Veterans commit suicide daily
Suicide is the leading cause of death for Vets under 45
1 in 3 First Responders have PTSD

The solution

Creation of an Inclusive Recreation Center where residents of all ages and abilities can pursue health and wellness goals and experience community.

ACCESS of Wilmington has eleven years providing adaptive fitness, sports and recreational opportunities for ages 2-100. From Miracle League adaptive baseball, ACCESS Fit and Neuro Fit exercise science based fitness classes for ages 14-100, and Project SOAR providing adaptive sports and recreation to Veterans with disabilities, ACCESS has a proven track record of eliminating barriers to health and wellness. With a Recreational Center we can meet our residents needs daily and year round.

The ACCESS Inclusive Recreation Center will allow achieve the dream of our founders to have a barrier free space to provide year round full inclusive and accessible programming featuring: fully accessible fitness spaces and equipment, expanded programs for Veterans, First Responders, children, and seniors, and opportunities for individuals of all abilities too engage in recreational activities promoting health, socialization, and resilience.

PHYSICAL BENEFITS

Regular physical activity is proven to help prevent and manage heart disease, hypertension, stroke, diabetes and several cancers (WHO). Individuals with disabilities often face significant barriers in accessing opportunities to stay active. (CDC) ACCESS has a track record of providing adaptive sports and fitness classes to all ages but lacks the indoor space to provide year round programming without adverse weather cancellations.

Serving our Veterans

Our new recreational center will allow ACCESS to expand this vital program and provide the space for both regular physical activity and increased opportunity for community. “Project SOAR has given me purpose, direction, and something to get out of bed for. It’s been life-saving.” - Army Veteran.

supporting mental health

Isolation is a significant challenge for individuals with disabilities, seniors, and others facing barriers to participation in traditional recreation. ACCESS programming increases socialization, support, and connection. Whether it’s children forming friendships, seniors staying active and engaged in our classes, or Veterans finding community in Project SOAR, our programs empower participants to feel valued, included, and supported.

supporting our seniors

ACCESS will serve the first goal of the New Hanover County Master Senior Aging Plan by providing diverse and accessible opportunities for older adults and caregivers to participate and be engaged in our community. ACCESS will be able to tailor programs for seniors to improve mobility, strength, and overall wellness while fostering connections that combat loneliness.

Event Promenade with ACCESS of Wilmington Inclusive Recreation Center and the Wilmington Aquatic Center

OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE WILMINGTON AQUATIC CENTER

ACCESS of Wilmington is thrilled to anchor the Olsen Farm Recreation Village with the Wilmington Aquatic Center (WAC), addressing a long-standing need in Southeastern North Carolina to increase access to swimming in the region. WAC will be open to the public year-round, allowing individuals of all ages, abilities, incomes and backgrounds to enjoy the water safely, and foster the health, fitness and well-being of the whole community. Click to learn more about the Wilmington Aquatic Center.

WAC will offer Aquatic Physical Therapy, which will expand and compliment the adaptive fitness programs offered by ACCESS to children, adults, and Veterans with disabilities.

WAC will increase access to swimming for individuals of all abilities and ages, including those living with disabilities and seniors experiencing decreased abilities, which will augment the ACCESS programs offered to these same groups.

ACCESS SOAR will use WAC pools for SCUBA training and other programming reducing PTSD.

ACCESS partcipants can enjoy year round access to swimming and water therapy with WAC in an inclusive, supportive and comfortable setting.

The WAC splash pad for fun, play and social connections will be enjoyed by the entire Wilmington community, including indviduals served by ACCESS.