Accessible Recreation

We strive to create an all-inclusive environment where people of all abilities can participate in our programs and services.

We try to accommodate individuals with various special needs, including intellectual or physical disabilities, behavioural challenges, vision and hearing impairments or medical conditions that prevent participation in a program or service without additional support.

Assessing a participant's need for support

Even though we have incorporated accessibility and inclusion into our programs and services, some individuals may need additional accommodations to participate. When assessing whether additional support is needed, please consider the following:

• Is extra support required at school?
• Is extra help needed at home for basic care?
• Is there an existing physical, medical, behavioural or developmental disability that could affect the safety and enjoyment of the participant or other participants?
• Does the participant belong to a support agency?

If you answered yes to any of the questions above, please review the support options below.

Families who fail to disclose a participant's needs before registration may be required to withdraw from the program. Clarington's refund policy will apply.

How to register for Inclusion Services

You must be a Clarington resident to qualify for support from Inclusion Services. If your child will need additional staff support while attending a Clarington recreation program or camp, please fill out the Inclusion Support Request Form - Under 18 years to help ensure your child has a positive and supported experience.

There is limited availability for support requests for our recreation programs and camps. Support persons and external personal support workers are also welcome in our registered programs, drop-in activities, and camps.

Support persons and personal support workers

Support persons and external personal support workers are welcome to attend our recreation programs and drop-in activities at no additional cost while supporting another individual. Support can be provided by a family member, friend, trained support worker or social worker. Support persons must be at least 16 years of age.

We may request personal information from the support person for emergency purposes. Families providing their own support worker for child, youth, and camp programs, must complete the External Support Worker Release Form before starting the program or camp.

All support workers must comply with Clarington's rules and regulations. Support workers may participate with the participant so that inclusion is fulfilled.

Access 2 Cards

Clarington accepts Access 2 cards at all facilities. The Access 2 card is for people of all ages and types of permanent disabilities who require the assistance of a support person to participate in recreational and community activities. Card holders are permitted to have a support person attend these activities with them, free of charge, and are simply required to show their cards to be admitted at each facility. The card, which costs a small fee, can be used at all Municipal recreational facilities and community buildings. Access 2 cards help ensure all individuals receive the support they need to participate fully in entertainment, recreational and cultural opportunities.

People who do not have an Access 2 card can still bring a support person with them, free of charge, However, those who have it will not have to disclose any additional information when accessing the facilities. By officially accepting Access 2 cards, Clarington is streamlining access to our services for people with disabilities who have a support person.

The Access 2 Card is administered by Easter Seals Canada.

Apply for or renew your Access 2 Card 

Additional recreation programs

Please visit the Grandview Kids website for more recreation programs for children and youth with special needs.

Facility accessibility

We are committed to providing recreation facilities that are easily accessible to our residents. Our newly constructed facilities are designed to meet or exceed accessibility standards outlined in the Ontario Building Code.

Over the last few years, we have also made significant improvements to our older facilities. We conduct periodic audits to make sure our buildings and facilities are accessible.

Clarington is working to meet the province's 2025 target to build a fully accessible Ontario. To meet that target, we will continue to make the necessary upgrades and improvements to our facilities.

We also work with Clarington's Accessibility Advisory Committee on new and renovated facility designs and follow the Multi-Year Accessibility Plans for the Municipality.

Mobility device charging stations available at 15 locations across Clarington

Clarington has installed mobility charging stations at 15 locations across the community to support people using scooters, wheelchairs and other mobility devices to get around.

Outdoor locations

Port Darlington East Beach Park, 54 East Beach Road in Bowmanville Guildwood Park, 180 Guildwood Drive in Bowmanville Clarington Fields, 2375 Baseline Road West in Bowmanville Bond Head Parkette on the gazebo, 5 Boulton Street, Newcastle Orono Park (near the splash pad), 61 Princess Street in Orono Orono Town Hall, 5315 Main Street in Orono Harry Gay Neighbourhood Park, 179 Harry Gay Drive in Courtice

Indoor locations

Courtice Community Complex, 2950 Courtice Road in Courtice South Courtice Arena, 1595 Prestonvale Road in Courtice Diane Hamre Recreation Complex, 1780 Rudell Road in Newcastle Bowmanville Older Adult Association, 26 Beech Avenue in Bowmanville Clarington Public Library - Bowmanville Branch, 163 Church Street in Bowmanville Garnet B. Rickard Recreation Complex (west entrance on Pad A), 2440 Durham Regional Highway 2 in Bowmanville Newcastle Public Library, 150 King Avenue East in Newcastle Newcastle Memorial Arena, 103 Caroline Street West in Newcastle

🎬 Watch our charging station unveiling video

Notice of service disruption

From time to time, services and facilities may be unavailable due to preventative maintenance or equipment failure. We will provide as much notice as possible to the public when facilities or services are unavailable.