The Dorothy Gilmore Adaptive Recreation Center is a lively place. Zumba classes, Gilmore baking 101, Special Olympics sports camps; there’s always something happening. Whether classes, sports, or social events, it’s a place where visitors can reach their potential and experience the Center’s tagline, “Where Abilities and dis-Abilities become POSS-ABILITIES.”
Originally known as The Teen Center & Glendale Park, then renamed in 1991 as the Dorothy D. Gilmore Youth Center and Park, and eventually closing to undergo extensive renovations, the center reopened in 2023 as the Dorothy Gilmore Adaptive Recreation Center. Along with the new name came a new focus—no longer a youth center, but instead a therapeutic recreation center. It now serves individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities, providing adaptive education, community and just plain fun.
Benjamin Kowalczyk, supervisor at the Dorothy Gilmore Adaptive Recreation Center, says they’ve been working on replacing the Center’s playground since they reopened in late 2023.
“It took time to do research and design a playground that will be more adaptive than the previous one,” he explained, adding that while he didn’t design the playground, he did contribute ideas that he wanted to see in the final product.
Made possible by funding from the City Bond and installed by the Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation team, the playground will be “entirely different” from the previous one, Kowalczyk said. There will be sensory aspects and features designed with wheelchair users in mind, with the focus being “accessibility for all.”
According to Fayettevillenc.gov, the new playground will be home to the city’s first accessible whirl feature, “an amenity that sits flush with the ground and accommodates up to two wheelchair users, in addition to more users without mobility devices.” Other installations include opportunities for teamwork; an AeroGlider by Play World Inclusive Playground Equipment, where users sway back and forth together for a rollicking ride, and a side-by-side slide that allows children and parents or guardians to descend the slide together.
From musical experiences to physical challenges and social connection, the park can’t reach completion soon enough for many regulars.
“All of our parents and participants are excited to see the playground reopen,” Kowalczyk shared. “I don’t go a day without being asked when it will reopen.”
In the meantime, visitors can enjoy the center's other programs. Adaptive Recreation Social Club includes arts and crafts, exercise, and time with friends. Adaptive Aerobics takes things a little slower than traditional aerobics, focusing on range of motion and muscle movements. For peace and quiet, check out A Moment of Zen, where participants learn yoga and breathwork while experiencing nature and creating art. Stemspire with Josh is a chance for hands-on instructional building, getting creative juices flowing!
When asked whether the playground would be part of any official programs at the Center, Kowalczyk replied, “We have some things in the works.” To stay up-to-date with the Center’s programs, visit fayettevillenc.gov/Parks-and-Recreation.
“This is an exciting asset to our facility, and we can't wait for the community to enjoy it,” Kowalczyk concluded.

(Rendering courtesy of City of Fayetteville)