October 2023

What is SPIRIT Wake Forest?

SPIRIT Wake Forest is our way of identifying the initiatives, activities and events offered by the Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources (PRCR) Department's Specialized Programs & Inclusion. It stands for Specialized Programs and Inclusion Resources for Individuals Throughout Wake Forest. 

Our staff has a wide variety of experience working with people of all physical, emotional, and cognitive abilities.

We offer fun, adaptive, and inclusive recreation opportunities in our community including adaptive sports, social and fitness programs, and after school activities - with more on the way. 

Introducing our Monthly Newsletter

As a part of SPIRIT Wake Forest, we want to ensure that our families are informed of new programs and initiatives offered by Wake Forest PRCR.

Our monthly newsletter will offer information on current happenings, initiatives to look forward to, participant spotlights, and inspiration.

Meet Your SPIRIT Wake Forest Team

Olivia Atkinson (shown right) is the Specialized Programs & Inclusion Specialist for Wake Forest PRCR. She graduated from the University of North Carolina Wilmington with a degree in Recreation Therapy in 2016.

Prior to joining the Town of Wake Forest, Olivia worked with the City of Raleigh for over six years as the Recreation Programs and Inclusion Coordinator.

She has created a variety of innovative inclusive processes, programs, and trainings. She is passionate about making recreation a place for everyone and equipping staff to serve all individuals.

When she is not at work, you can find Olivia enjoying time outside with her family, cooking, and doing wedding hair and makeup. She is also actively involved in her church.

Adison Evans (shown left) is our part-time Specialized Programs & Inclusion Coordinator for Wake Forest PRCR. She is a recent graduate of Western Carolina University and a newly Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist!

Adison has several years of experience working with individuals with disabilities, through day programs, one-on-one care, and at a therapeutic horse-riding center.

A dog mom to a Labradoodle named Murphy, Adison and Murphy enjoy spending a lot of time together outside. When she is not outside, you can find Adison in the kitchen cooking her favorite recipes and baking cookies from scratch.

Adison is excited to join the team here and get to work in this awesome community! 

You're invited to complete our accessibility survey as part of our ADA Transition Plan Update

Furthering its commitment to accessibility, the Town of Wake Forest is in the process of updating its Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan.

The ADA Transition Plan is a comprehensive approach to improving access for individuals with disabilities to Town facilities, parks, programs, services, activities, and events. Aligning with Goal 3 of the Town’s Strategic Plan, it is an important part of Wake Forest’s continued efforts to welcome and serve all members of the community.

“The Town of Wake Forest believes that all Town facilities, programs, and services should be accessible to all members of the community,” said Facilities Director – ADA Coordinator Mickey Rochelle. “While we are continuously working on improving accessibility, an updated Transition Plan will help us benchmark where we are now and develop a roadmap for where we can be in the future.”

Citizen input is a crucial part of the ADA Transition Plan process. Individuals with disabilities, along with patrons, family members, caregivers, organizations, and agencies that support individuals with disabilities, and interested individuals are invited to visit Engage Wake Forest and complete the Community Engagement Survey to share their thoughts and opinions on accessibility to Town programs, services, activities, and facilities. The survey is available through Thursday, Nov. 30, and takes less than 10 minutes to complete.

“We are committed to making Wake Forest accessible to all members of the community, whether it’s our pedestrian areas or Town facilities,” said Rochelle. “We encourage all members of the community to participate in this process.”

Wake Forest has contracted with Precision Infrastructure Management (PIM), a consulting firm with extensive experience in ADA-related projects, to perform, manage, and draft the final ADA Transition Plan with close Town support. Anyone wishing to communicate with PIM and offer additional feedback is encouraged to email PIM Managing Partner Charlie Szold.

Talk With Me Tuesday - Holding Park Inclusive Playground Update

The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources (PRCR) Department shared updates on the Holding Park Inclusive Playground during special “Talk With Me Tuesday” online meetings Tuesday, Sept. 26, at noon and 6 p.m. The noon session video is provided above. 

Hosted by PRCR Director Ruben Wall, Specialized Programs & Inclusion Specialist Olivia Atkinson, and Parks & Recreation Maintenance Manager Randy Hoyle, the online sessions included an update on construction (now scheduled for completion in December) and an overview of the facility layout and fencing. For more information, email Olivia Atkinson.

Stay Informed

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If you have questions or comments about the Town of Wake Forest website or E-Notifier, please contact Bill Crabtree by email or call 919-435-9421.