Outdoors for All Celebrates New Adaptive Recreation Programs at
Lake Sammamish State Park
Fully staffed site offers wide range of activities and specialized equipment to help people with disabilities hike, bike and paddle at the park
SEATTLE (August 23, 2024) Outdoors for All, a non-profit which transforms the lives of children and adults with disabilities through adaptive outdoor recreation, celebrated its first Eastside program location today with a special event. This location, in partnership with Lake Sammamish State Park, King County and a host of corporate supporters will offer a wide range of programs, activities and equipment that will enable people with disabilities to hike, bike, paddle and take part in other forms of outdoor recreation.
“Access to basic outdoor recreation is out of reach for too many people with disabilities due to transportation and geography,” said Clark Halvorson, Executive Director at Outdoors for All. “Today, we’ve brought the outdoors closer to thousands of people with disabilities on the Eastside, giving them the same access to recreation that the rest of us enjoy. We can’t thank Lake Sammamish State Park and our generous donors enough for their partnership that makes these programs possible.”
Outdoors for All provides a fully staffed program team that offers adaptive bike, kayak and paddleboard rentals on a daily basis. It also offers a series of summer day camps for people ages 7 and up. More information about how to access the equipment or sign up for a camp is available at: https://outdoorsforall.org/programs/recreation-programs/. As a result, for the first time, many more people will be able to enjoy the simple pleasures of riding a bike, paddleboarding and other outdoor activities at Lake Sammamish State Park.
“Washington State Parks is thrilled to be partners with Outdoors for All,” says Shawn Tobin, Area Manager for the Cascade Foothills Area State Parks. “This collaboration represents a significant step toward breaking down barriers and ensuring that all Washingtonians can enjoy our beautiful state parks. Outdoors for All has been a pivotal partner in this initiative. Their commitment to accessibility aligns perfectly with our mission, and we’re excited to work together to create lasting change.”
For more than 40 years Outdoors for All has transformed the lives of people with disabilities through a range of adaptive outdoor recreation programs, including cycling, cross-country and downhill skiing, snowboarding, hiking, kayaking, rock climbing and summer day camps. Each year, thousands of participants with disabilities gain new skills and confidence through outdoor experiences thanks to specialized equipment, trained staff and passionate volunteers.
“I never thought I would be able to ride a bicycle, but now I can,” says Shu-Fang Newman, Outdoors for All participant. “I go out and enjoy my rides, feeling the wind and sun with no barriers, seven days a week with Outdoors for All. The bicycle is my medium, taking me around Seattle and connecting me with the natural world. Like Outdoors for All, the “ALL” serves everyone, including people with disabilities like me. Thanks to their efforts, I can enjoy the outdoors just like anyone else.”
“With this exciting new venture, Outdoors for All continues their innovative and excellent work to make outdoor recreation inclusive and welcoming to people of all ages and abilities,” said King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci. “The opportunities they offer transform lives, showing that there are no limits to what is possible and sharing the joy of outdoor experiences with everyone. We are so fortunate to have an organization like Outdoors for All in our community.”
About Outdoors for All
Outdoors for All transforms the lives of children and adults with disabilities by offering a range of adaptive outdoor recreation programs, including cycling, gravel and mountain biking, Nordic and downhill skiing, snowboarding, hiking, kayaking, paddleboarding, rock climbing and summer day camps. Program locations include Magnuson Park, Lake Sammamish State Park, The Summit at Snoqualmie and Stevens Pass Ski Resort, as well as dozens of other locations for day programs. Each year, thousands of participants gain not only new skills and confidence, but also experience the joy of the outdoors thanks to specialized equipment, trained staff and passionate volunteers. More information is available at www.outdoorsforall.org.
Media Contact
John Williams, Scoville PR for Outdoors for All
206-660-5503, jwilliams@scovillepr.com