Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation wins inclusion award for adaptive Halloween event

Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation (CCPR) received the Inclusion Program for All Ages Award from the Indiana Parks and Recreation Association (IPRA) for its Sensory Friendly Trick-or-Treat Trail. The award recognizes CCPR’s efforts to create inclusive recreational opportunities for individuals of all ages and abilities.

Held annually at River Heritage Park, the Sensory Friendly Trick-or-Treat Trail offers individuals with disabilities and their families an accessible alternative to traditional Halloween trick-or-treating. The event features a welcoming environment free from loud music, frightening decorations and other spooky surprises that can make trick-or-treating overwhelming.

Friendly volunteers dressed in non-threatening costumes hand out treats along the park’s fully accessible trails, with seasonal games and activities available for participants to enjoy. The event welcomes individuals of all ages and abilities, allowing families to celebrate Halloween in a way that feels comfortable for them.

“Our goal is to create an environment where everyone can participate in the fun of the holiday without the barriers they might encounter at other Halloween events,” CCPR Inclusion Program Supervisor Kelvin Solares said. “Receiving this award is a wonderful recognition of the work that goes into making that possible.”

The Sensory Friendly Trick-or-Treat Trail is one of over 220 adaptive recreation programs offered by CCPR. Through these programs, CCPR works to remove barriers to participation and create opportunities for individuals of all abilities to connect with their community.

To learn more about CCPR adaptive programs, visit carmelclayparks.com/programs/adaptive.