Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger presents Sacramento Department of Parks and Recreation’s Access Leisure with 2006 Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Award for River Cats Independence Field

Sacramento, California, September 13, 2006 — In a ceremony held today in Sacramento, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger presented Access Leisure, a Sacramento Department of Parks and Recreation program that provides sports, recreation, and leisure activities to individuals with disabilities, with the 2006 Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports-Parks Program Award.

Access Leisure won this prestigious award for the groundbreaking sport programs it coordinates at River Cats Independence Field (RCIF). RCIF is a fully-accessible baseball field made of a rubberized surface ideal for players with disabilities that use manual or power wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, or no assistive devices. Access Leisure’s RCIF-based programs make it possible for individuals with disabilities to enjoy America’s favorite pastime and at the same time promotes fitness, interpersonal skills, and self confidence.

The sport programs at RCIF are part of a comprehensive collection of Access Leisure programs specifically designed to meet the needs of individuals with physical and developmental disabilities. Other programs include wheelchair basketball, wheelchair softball, accessible aquatics, sled hockey, social dance, bocce ball, walking for fitness, open gym, cooking classes, challenge soccer, day excursions, camp and outdoor education, and much more.

For a more comprehensive description of all Access Leisure programs and how to register for them, please visit the Access Leisure website (http://www.accessleisuresac.org/), or call Steve Hornsey, Program Coordinator, at (916) 808-2340.

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