Queen Creek Park & Rec renews autism designation

The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards has renewed the Queen Creek Parks and Recreation Department’s credential as a Certified Autism Center.

“Continuing our Certified Autism Center designation through (the board) is important in ensuring our residents have opportunities to recreate together, a key component of providing a quality lifestyle, one of our strategic priorities” Queen Creek Vice Mayor Leah Martineau stated in a town press release. “Our parks and recreation department is dedicated to providing meaningful recreational experiences for individuals of all abilities, and this renewal reinforces that commitment.”

To renew this designation, parks and recreation staff underwent comprehensive autism training to equip them with knowledge of best practices, skills and resources to welcome and support every individual, the release continued.

The Certified Autism Center designation is just one of many ways the town is working to expand opportunities for individuals of all abilities.

Queen Creek’s Mansel Carter Oasis Park and Frontier Family Park feature inclusive-focused play equipment. Through a partnership with Banner Ironwood Medical Center, the entire area at Mansel Carter Oasis Park is outfitted with poured rubber surfacing, including the sand play area, enabling individuals of varying abilities to play alongside one another. Rubber surfacing is also included throughout the playground at Frontier Family Park.

Mansel Carter also includes signs highlighting the importance of play for community health and wellbeing, reinforcing the goals of the CAC designation.

“We are proud to continue our partnership with the town of Queen Creek parks and recreation, highlighting their efforts to continue enhancing support and inclusivity for every person who visits their parks and recreation spaces, especially autistic and sensory-sensitive individuals. We look forward to seeing the continued impact of this certification,” Myron Pincomb, International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards board chairman, stated in the release.

To further support accessibility efforts, the town’s parks and recreation department is featured on the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards Accessibility App, which is free to download. This app provides individuals with a variety of disabilities real-time guidance on certified destinations, sensory-friendly spaces, and tailored recommendations.