"A place to belong": Scottsdale’s Adaptive Recreation Center builds friendships and community
For Taylor Young, Scottsdale’s Adaptive Recreation Center is a place to dance, play sports and make friends.
Taylor has autism, and she said it was difficult to make friends, hang out and participate in activities with other people her age.
"It is very important to me. Before I didn’t really do anything, have any friends much," said Taylor.
The Adaptive Recreation Center is a dedicated, multipurpose facility that provides not only a safe space for participants with disabilities, including those who are neurodivergent, but a place to have fun, make friends and learn. Its social and recreation program are tailored to participants’ abilities and designed to build social skills, confidence and independence while encouraging friendships and community involvement.
Programs extend beyond the center. Sports practices take place at other city facilities and community locations, and the program offers off-site outings for social and leisure activities.
Taylor enjoys the center’s dances and activities such as karaoke, cooking, game nights yoga, a smart shopper course and a book club. She is also a member of the Scottsdale Bobcats, the city’s Special Olympics Arizona team. These activities support inclusion, health, fitness, personal growth and teamwork.
Taylor’s father, William Young, said Adaptive Recreation has given his daughter a place to belong, connect and develop. He now volunteers as a coach for the program.
In the past, William said, his daughter was asked to leave a dance program because the instructor didn’t know how to manage her differences.
"In Scottsdale, that would never happen."
The facility includes a multipurpose room, game room, sensory room, full demonstration kitchen, garden and patio. It has two full-time and seven part-time staff members, supported by 33 recurring volunteers.
"Scottsdale’s commitment to maintain top quality recreation facilities is reflected in the programming provided at the Adaptive Recreation Center," said Nick Molinari, senior director of Parks, Recreation, Human Services and Preserve. "Our staff is trained to support participants in mainstream community programs."
The Adaptive Recreation program expanded thanks to a competitive grant from the National Recreation and Park Association. With that funding, the Adaptive Recreation Center is now the hub for the Scottsdale Bobcats Special Olympics team, which competes in swimming, bowling, bocce, flag football, basketball, powerlifting, Topgolf and soccer. Some team members earned medals at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota.
"Scottsdale is proud to champion inclusive, accessible and transformative experiences that empower and celebrate community members with neuro and physical diversities," City Manager Greg Caton said. "We know the benefits our recreation amenities offer for social interaction for all our citizens."
Scottsdale offers accommodations to help people with disabilities participate in recreation programs throughout the city. Accommodations include American Sign Language interpreters, audio description, assistive listening devices and other auxiliary aids, Braille, large print and inclusion support.
For William, the impact comes back to the connections his daughter has made.
"This really opened the door for her to make friends-lifelong friends."