FAMILY FUN

 

Family Fun is a recreation resource list for families who have children with special needs.  Please share information about outings or places that accommodate various special needs.  Families can also share tips for making the activity less stressful, such as where you can change a child who is too big for the standard changing table in bathrooms.  To submit your suggestions, please email: FamilyFun@teamupwithfamilies.org .  Suggestions will be reviewed before being added to the list.

For a helpful calendar of family activities, visit www.southeastregionalcenter.org and click on Calendar of Events (under Trainings/Workshops).

WATERPARK
Country Springs in Pewaukee offers discounts for children with special needs and up to 2 other people with that person to participate in their waterpark.  They offer this most Mondays from 4-6pm for $5.50 per person for up to three people the $7.50 each for any additional people in that group.  Please contact them to make sure they are offering this discount for the Monday you're thinking of going: 262-547-0202 or visit their website: www.countryspringshotel.com
 

PLAYGROUNDS/PARKS
There's an accessible playground in Port Washington.  It has a pirate ship that rocks, monkey bars at varying heights, a lighthouse, fairy tale castle, swings with supports, rockwall, memory game, balance beams, bridges and tunnels.  They are working on an accessible bathroom with a sturdy six-foot long changing table and utility sink.  For more information, click: http://www.possibilityplayground.org . 
FortCushing in Delafield - take Hwy C exit off of Hwy 94W, then L after exiting and L onto Main St., turn R onto Cushing Park Rd. by Kurt's Steakhouse.  It has molded swings, w/c accessible ramps and surface for most of it, chimes, and many activities that is accessible for a w/c.  There are also wheelchair accessible trails nearby.  The bathrooms have been locked every time we've been there so I can't report on them.

Oconomowoc has a new accessible playground, Imagination Station.  For more information: http://www.oconomowocplayground.org/

Mitchell Park Domes in Milwaukee has discounts on their admission for people with disabilities of $4.  Regular adult admission is $5.50, children 6-12 are $4, and 5 and under are free.  The entrance has heavy doors and no automatic push open doors that I saw so you may need help getting them open.  There was a lot of seating throughout in the main entrance and inside each dome.  They did have a long bench that could be used to change a larger child in the bathroom.  The show dome has concrete at the entrance, but the rest is mulch/wood chips so may be difficult to maneuver a wheelchair or walker.  The other two domes are all paved, but they have some steep declines/inclines.  They also offer wheelchairs on a first come-first serve basis.  It's a little more work to enjoy, but with a little knowledge beforehand and some help it is possible.  They do offer a variety of events: www.countyparks.com/horticulture

 

Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison: outdoors gardens are free and wheelchair accessible.  12-passenger tram provides free rides around the 16-acre outdoor gardens, primarily for visitors needing assistance and accommodates wheelchairs

 

Olbrich Botanical Gardens is owned and operated by the City of Madison Parks Division in partnership with the non-profit Olbrich Botanical Society.
 

SPORTS
TOPSoccer is soccer for boys and girls ages 8 - 19 with mental or physical disabilities.  See www.wisconsinsoccer.org/topsoccer.htm for details and upcoming events.

CAMPING
If you love camping and thought you couldn't do it anymore due to someone in the family with a disability or traditional facilities make camping difficult then check out www.dnr.wi.gov for information on wheelchair accessible cabins.  There are 7 locations throughout WI.  Each cabin has 2 hospital beds, a full size refrigerator, a microwave, enclosed porch, ramps, accessible shower and toilet, and multiple outlets throughout the heated/air conditioned cabin.

FESTIVALS/FAIRS

Afraid of festivals due to need to change a larger child or an adult who cannot use a toilet?  The Summerfest grounds has a spinal cord station to the left of the Miller Stage (when facing it).  The air conditioned building has accessible toilets, shower, and two full size tables for lying on or changing.

If you need to take a break or need privacy for personal cares while at the Wisconsin State Fair, visit the First Aid station.  It's located near the Golden Guernsey milk booth.  It has a ramp to get inside and cots.  The Convention Center has an area for breastfeeding mothers that has a long, sturdy table and couch.  This would be more appropriate for changing a child too large for changing table offered in the bathrooms.  Another option is the family restroom in the same building.

The Waukesha County Fair also has a First Aid station that has cots inside a tent.