Clayton Parks & Rec Believes Everyone Deserves A Place To Play

CLAYTON, N.C. – From Sensory Kits at community events to quieter ways to enjoy the Town’s Independence Day Fireworks Display, Clayton Parks and Recreation is helping more residents take part by putting inclusion at the center of how it plans programs, events, and recreation spaces.

That commitment recently reached an important milestone as the department completed a year-long program through the National Inclusion Project’s Network of Inclusive Communities alongside the Towns of Zebulon and Knightdale. The program gave staff practical tools to evaluate every part of the Parks and Recreation experience – from planning programs and designing spaces to communicating with participants – through the lens of inclusion, so more people can feel welcome and take part.

Staff met each month to share experiences and learn from one another. Rather than waiting until the program ended, they began putting those ideas into practice throughout the year.

For Clayton Parks and Recreation Director Todd Riddick, the program marked a shift in how the department approaches its work. It helped build a culture where inclusion guides how residents are served and future projects are developed.

“We want everyone to know they belong here,” said Riddick. “It is not enough to simply say we are welcoming. We want our interactions and the decisions we make every day to show that everyone belongs. When inclusion becomes part of how you plan from the very beginning, it becomes second nature.”

Today, residents are already seeing the results. Sensory Kits are now available during programs and special events, giving participants tools that can make activities more comfortable and enjoyable. The Journey League continues to create opportunities for individuals living with disabilities to experience organized athletics. That same commitment to inclusion shaped this year’s Independence Day Fireworks Display at Clayton Community Park where noise-reducing headphones helped people with sound sensitivities enjoy the celebration alongside family and friends.

“The communities that make the biggest impact are the ones that stop asking, ‘How do we accommodate someone?’ and start asking, ‘How do we design experiences where everyone can participate?'” said Olivia Atkinson, Director of Inclusive Partnerships with the Network of Inclusive Communities.

Inclusion also extends beyond the programs themselves. Parks and Recreation staff are building it into everyday experiences from the language they use to the registration process and the support available when it is needed. The department has expanded inclusion training for employees and added opportunities for people to request accommodations during registration.

“Families notice the small things,” said Atkinson. “When they see accommodations thoughtfully built into the experience and know it is easy to ask for additional support if they need it, it sends a powerful message that they were considered from the very beginning.”

The department has also strengthened its team by adding Assistant Director Lauren Box and Recreation Program Supervisor MacKenzie Dolecheck. Together, they are helping expand recreation opportunities for older adults and individuals living with disabilities while working to make every Parks and Recreation program more welcoming and inclusive.

Dolecheck is leading efforts to help staff confidently support people with a variety of needs while identifying ways existing programs can be adapted to make them more accessible. Their work is helping shape today’s programs while also guiding the department’s next steps.

Recent community surveys gathered feedback from older adults and residents living with disabilities to better understand what programs, services, and amenities are needed in Clayton. The information will help guide new programming while also influencing plans for the Clayton Wellness & Activity Center.

One feature being explored is a quiet room where visitors can step away from busy activities if they become overwhelmed before returning when they are ready. Plans for the facility also include flexible spaces that can better serve people of all ages and abilities.

As the department continues that work, the partnerships formed through the National Inclusion Project remain just as valuable. Clayton, Zebulon, and Knightdale now share ideas and are exploring collaborative events that better serve families across the region.

“This is only the beginning,” said Riddick. “Our community will continue to evolve and change, and we want to keep learning alongside it.”