Adaptive Sports and Recreation


The Houston Parks and Recreation Department's Adaptive Sports and Recreation section is headquartered at Metropolitan Multi-Service Center (MMSC) at West Gray. Adaptive Sports and Recreation offers a variety of recreational, sporting, and quality of life programming for people with differing abilities.

The recreational opportunities include a structured class, fitness rooms, full-court gym, indoor heated pool, beep baseball field, tennis court, quarter-mile outdoor trail, urban garden, and a Vale-Asche Playground Without Limits.

  • Adult Wheelchair Basketball
  • Youth Wheelchair Basketball
  • Adult & Youth Adaptive Yoga
  • All Ages Power Soccer
  • All Ages
    Boccia Ball
  • All Ages Air
    Rifles
  • Table
    Tennis
  • Adaptive & Wheelchair Tennis
  • Adolescent Bariatric Surgery Support
  • Houston Area Parkinson Society
  • Friends of
    The Park
  • Accessible
    Fitness Center
  • Indoor Adaptive Heated Pool

ADULT WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL

Weekly practice and play are offered throughout the year and are open for registered players ages 16 and up. Motorized chairs are not allowed in the game, but sports chairs are available for check out.

Open gym is offered from January to March on Mondays and Wednesdays.

League nights are offered from April to May on Mondays.

Ages: All Ages
Registration: Required
Program Dates: Sep. 5 - Nov. 23
Time: Mon., 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Wed., 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Fee: FREE
Location: Metropolitan Multi-Service Center
1475 West Gray
Information: 832.395.7333
hannah.walker@houstontx.gov

YOUTH WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL

TIRR Memorial Hermann Junior Hotwheels Basketball team practices on Tuesday nights through March 2015. This youth basketball program accepts any school-aged players with physical disabilities that are interested in wheelchair basketball, either competitively or recreationally.
Ages: 16 - older
Registration: Required
Program Dates: January - March, 2017
Time: Tue., 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Fee: FREE
Location: Metropolitan Multi-Service Center
1475 West Gray
Information: 713.797.5928
ava.skrabanek@memorialhermann.org

ADULT AND YOUTH ADAPTIVE YOGA

This Adaptive Yoga class modifies traditional Kundalini Yoga for persons with physical disabilities based on students abilities. This 60 minute class led by a certified Kundalini Yoga instructor. It combines seated, standing and floor postures and incorporates guided meditation and creative visualization.
Ages: Youth and Adult
Registration: Required
Program Dates: 9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
1st and 3rd Thursday of each month from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Fee: FREE
Location: Metropolitan Multi-Service Center
1475 West Gray
Information: 832.395.7333
charles.french@houstontx.gov

ALL AGES POWER SOCCER

Power Soccer is the fastest growing sport for wheelchair users. Power Soccer is the first team sport designed specifically for power wheelchair users.  It combines the skill of the wheelchair user with the speed and power of the chair itself, to participate in an extremely challenging game similar to soccer.   All ages and abilities welcome!
Ages: All Ages
Registration: Required
Program Dates: Jan 9 - April 30, 2017
Time: Sat., 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Fee: FREE
Location: Metropolitan Multi-Service Center
1475 West Gray
Information: 832.395.7325
charles.french@houstontx.gov

ALL AGES BOCCIA BALL

Boccia (pronounced 'Bot-cha') is a Paralympic sport introduced in 1984. Boccia is played indoors on a flat, smooth surface by either individuals or teams. The game consists of athletes throwing, kicking, or using a ramp to propel a ball onto the court to get as close as possible to a 'jack' ball. Boccia is designed specifically for athletes with a disability affecting locomotor function.
Ages: All Ages
Registration: Required; On-Site
Program Dates: Ongoing
Time: Mon., 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Fee: FREE
Location: Metropolitan Multi-Service Center
1475 West Gray
Information: 832.395.7325
charles.french@houstontx.gov

ALL AGES AIR RIFLES

Paralympic shooting practice and competition is open to all athletes with physical disabilities. Shooting matches will consist of athletes of the same gender with similar disabilities competing against each other, either individually or as a team.
Ages: All Ages
Registration: Required; On-site
Program Dates: 1st & 3rd Wednesday of each month
Time: Wed., 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Fee: FREE
Location: Metropolitan Multi-Service Center
1475 West Gray
Information: 832.395.7325
charles.french@houstontx.gov

TABLE TENNIS

The Paralympic table tennis competition is open to all athletes with physical disabilities, including amputation/limb loss, spinal cord injury, wheelchair users, and citizens who have struggled from cerebral palsy complications, stroke, and brain injuries. The same quick technique and finesse are apparent in athletes' games from various disability categories, including men and women competitions, either individually or team style. Join us to become a table tennis Paralympian!
Ages: All Ages
Registration: Required; On-site
Program Dates: Beginning January 2017
Time: Tue. & Thu., 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Fee: FREE
Location: Metropolitan Multi-Service Center
1475 West Gray
Information: 832.395.7325
charles.french@houstontx.gov

ADAPTIVE & WHEELCHAIR TENNIS

The Metropolitan Multi-Service Center includes two outdoor wheelchair-accessible lighted tennis courts. Priority use of these courts is given for adaptive and wheelchair tennis. Each summer, the department offers free instructional classes for wheelchair players of all ages.

Programs for amputees and experienced wheelchair competitors are also offered at the Metropolitan Multi-Service Center. For more information: call 832.395.7333.

ADOLESCENT BARIATRIC

The support group is hosted monthly for adolescents and their family by Texas Children’s Hospital Staff in partnership, with HPARD’s Adaptive Recreation Staff. Meetings are held at the Metropolitan Multi-Service Center.  This is a specialized program designed to enhance the overall fitness level and functional capacity of each bariatric patient. Focus will be on lifetime fitness activities and exercise.
Ages:  
Registration:  
Program Dates: 2nd Tuesday Of  Every Month
Time: Tue., 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Fee: FREE
Location: Metropolitan Multi-Service Center
1475 West Gray
Information: 832.822.0615
kjturybu@texaschildrens.org

HOUSTON AREA PARKINSON SOCIETY

The Houston Area Parkinson Society's mission is to improve the quality of life for people with Parkinson's through services, education, and advocacy. This society provides numerous programs and services for the Parkinson's community. Each week, HAPS provides 34 free therapies, including physical, occupational, speech, water, Tai Chi, and more. The therapy groups provided are available for individuals and caregivers who live with Parkinson's to share their experiences in a warm, friendly environment. In addition, HAPS offers free transportation services to and from therapy sites and physician visits. Social services and educational programs are also available.
Activity: Exercise for Adults with Parkinson
Information: 713.313.1652
rodriguez@hapsonline.org
www.hapsonline.org

FRIENDS OF THE PARK

The Friends of the Park Council at MMSC serves to support the staff and programs of HPARD’s Adaptive Recreation section. They also help communicate the vision, goals and services of the program to constituent communities and  provide a forum for program ideas and services.

The Friends of the Park Council at MMSC meets the second Tuesday of every month.

Date: 3rd Tues of every month
Time: 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Location: Metropolitan Multi-Service Center
1475 West Gray
Information: 832.395.7325
charles.french@houstontx.gov

ACCESSIBLE FITNESS CENTER

The Metropolitan Multi-Service Fitness Center is specifically designed to be used by adults with a physically disability including visually impaired and blind who are able to function independently.

The facility is equipped with wheelchair accessible upper body weight equipment along with cardio machines to get your heart pumping. Pre-registration and a safety briefing are required before using this facility.

Ages: 16 – older
Registration: Required
Time: Mon. - Fri., 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Location: Metropolitan Multi-Service Center
1475 West Gray
Information: 832.395.7333
hannah.walker@houstontx.gov

INDOOR ADAPTIVE HEATED POOL

The MMSC pool provides a great environment for people with disabilities to exercise. The 5-lane, 25-yard heated pool is fully accessible and is equipped with a zero depth entry ramp, hand rails, and 3 chair lifts. Changing and shower facilities are available adjacent to the pool area.

Participants are required to have independent functioning mobility skills or bring an adult attendant to assist.

Ages: Youth and Adult
Registration: Required
Program Dates: Year-round
Time: Mon. - Thu., 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. (closed for lunch 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.)
Fri., 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Fee: FREE
Location: Metropolitan Multi-Service Center
1475 West Gray
Information: 832.395.7333
charles.french@houstontx.gov