June 2, 2024, Bronx, NY – INCLUDEnyc will host a day packed with sensory-friendly summer recreation – including sports, arts, and music – with the eighth annual Outdoors for Autism on Sunday, June 2, from 11 AM to 2:30 PM at Rev. T. Wendell Foster Park (formerly Mulally Park) in the Bronx. This free event is made possible by the New York City Council Autism Initiative.
“Springtime is never fully in swing at INCLUDEnyc until we host our beloved Outdoors for Autism event where young people with disabilities and their families enjoy a day of accessible, sensory-friendly activities,” said Cheryelle Cruickshank, Executive Director at INCLUDEnyc. “Last year, over 700 people shared the love, equity, and access–and fun!– with INCLUDEnyc in the park.”
Outdoors for Autism will feature a bubble station, sensory-parachute, tennis, arts and crafts, music, quiet activity area, and more. Partnering organizations include: Asphalt Green, Extreme Kids and Crew, Intrepid Museum, KEEN NY, Music for Autism, The New York Public Library, New York Transit Museum, NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Special Olympics New York, Uniquely Me Creative Arts, US Tennis Association (USTA) Eastern, Cary Leeds Center for Tennis and Learning, and Wildlife Conservation Society. Volunteer support will be provided by Citi and Goldman Sachs.
Christian Peralta, Program Manager at Extreme Kids & Crew, notes the event’s community impact. “INCLUDEnyc for Outdoors for Autism has a profound impact on youth with disabilities and their families, fostering community and highlighting available resources in New York City. Finding safe and inclusive spaces where children can thrive can be daunting for many families. Programs like INCLUDEnyc OFA provide essential support by offering welcoming environments. These initiatives also emphasize the significance of play and creativity for disabled youth, often overlooked in resource discussions,” said Peralta.
“At KEEN New York, we are thrilled about our partnership with INCLUDEnyc and Outdoors for Autism. This collaboration embodies our commitment to fostering inclusive environments where young people with disabilities can thrive and explore new opportunities,” said Kristi Lyn Eaton, Executive Director at KEEN New York. “Outdoors for Autism not only aligns with our mission to empower youth through recreational activities but also amplifies our impact, allowing us to reach more families and make a meaningful difference in their lives.”
Register now for INCLUDEnyc’s Outdoors for Autism on Sunday, June 2. Rain date is scheduled for Saturday, June 15 from 11 AM to 2:30 PM.