St. Johns County Parks and Recreation Showcases Their Accessibility Options with All-Abilities Paddle Event

• 22 July 2025
• Category: SJC News Parks and Recreation
• Tags: 2025

The St. Johns County Parks and Recreation Department hosted an All-Abilities Paddle kayaking event on July 19 during their Parks and Recreation Month celebration to highlight the programs’ accessibility options. The Office of Public Affairs produced a video with Outdoor Recreation Supervisor Kelly Ussia explaining Parks and Recreation’s adaptive equipment.

The All-Abilities Paddle took participants with physical or mental disabilities (and family members) on a guided trek to catch the sunset over the St. Johns River.

“The All-Abilities Paddle allows anybody, regardless of ability, to get out on the waterway,” Ussia said. “It’s really important to offer this equipment, because we want to make sure that all residents, regardless of their limitations, can get out and enjoy what beautiful St. Johns County has to offer.”

Van Williams took part in a previous All-Abilities Paddle with his service dog Troy and was impressed by the different options Parks and Recreation offers program participants.

“I really thought this was something that was for other people, and it was something I could watch and just kind of think about, but now I get to go out and do it,” Williams said. “I really enjoy it, so it’s something I put on my schedule every month.”

Adaptive equipment is available on all Parks and Recreation kayaking and paddleboarding trips, if you inform staff ahead of time during the online registration process.

Specific pieces of adaptive equipment offered include paddle pivots, which allow you to control a two-sided paddle with only one arm, seat and lumbar cushions for extra comfort and support, transfer benches to get wheelchair users into and out of watercraft with ease, outriggers for extra stability on the water, and pedal-drive paddleboards for those with limited upper-body mobility.

“We have so much adaptive equipment that we encourage you to come out and use,” Ussia said. “Come on out and join us on the water with St. Johns County Parks and Recreation!”

Sign up for Parks and Recreation programs and take advantage of all the incredible opportunities and services they offer.