Therapeutic Recreation changes lives with inclusive programs for Asheville adults and kids

young boy wearing green shirt playing baseball

Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR)’s Therapeutic Recreation program celebrates 20 amazing years of life-enhancing experiences in 2025. It serves hundreds of participants through year-round programs that include supper clubs, crafting, fitness, hiking, adaptive sports, parents’ nights out, movies, dances, cooking classes, field trips, camps, and more.

The program is based out of Murphy-Oakley Community Center, site of the city’s first all-abilities playground that recently opened.

What is Therapeutic Recreation (TR)?

Therapeutic Recreation (TR) is a structured process designed to harness recreation and other activity-based interests to address the assessed needs of individuals with illnesses and/or disabling conditions, as a means to psychological and physical health, recovery, inclusion, and well-being. 

While TR is the field, recreational therapy is the practice. It is a treatment service designed to restore, remediate, and rehabilitate a person’s level of functioning and independence in life activities, promote health and wellness, and reduce or eliminate activity limitations and restrictions to participation in life situations caused by an illness or disabling condition.

February is Recreational Therapy Month and this year’s theme is More Than Fun to highlight how the practice can treat the whole person and uniquely improve quality of life, reducing feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Upcoming Therapeutic Recreation Opportunities

APR’s TR programs include recreational therapists led by a qualified licensed professional provider. The TR team is ready to challenge the idea of what a person is told they “won’t be able to do” and provide life-enhancing experiences for people of all abilities to access high-quality recreational activities that change seasonally. Click on the program title for more info.

TR Baseball – starts May 3, registration open nowyoung Asian American girl in wheelchair holding baseball bat

Offered in conjunction with the Asheville Tourists and T.C. Roberson Rams baseball programs, this non-competitive league for individuals with disabilities ages 6-17 and ages 18+ teaches the basics of baseball with an extra emphasis on fun with a final game played on McCormick Field!

TR Adult Crafting – Tuesday at 10-11am and 11am-12pm

Available at two different times each week! Join for a variety of crafts like faux stained glass, milk jug igloos, Mardi Gras masks, and bubble painting. Open to individuals with disabilities ages 17+.

TR Adult Morning Movement – Wednesday at 10am-12pmwoman and young man wearing painters smocks standing in front of easel

Wednesday mornings are all about active games, physical activities, and sports adapted to accommodate all skill levels. Open to individuals with disabilities ages 17+.

TR After Dark – Third Friday of the month at 6-9pm

Experience fun activities with old friends…and make new friends along the way. Upcoming themes include Sweetheart Dance, Laser Tag, and Movie Night. Open to individuals with disabilities ages 14+.

TR Walking – March 10, April 7, and May 5 at 10am-2pm

All walks are one mile or less utilizing fully accessible paths with transportation provided to the site from Murphy-Oakley Center. Participants provide their own lunch, water bottle, and clothes comfortable to move in. Open to individuals with disabilities ages 18+.

TR Hiking – March 6, April 4, and May 1 at 10am-2pmyoung woman holding water bottle as if after exercise

All hikes are between 1-2.5 miles on variable terrain with transportation provided to site from Murphy-Oakley Center. Participants provide their own lunch, water bottle, and clothes comfortable to move in. Open to individuals with disabilities ages 18+.

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