City of Dickson Parks & Recreation Expands Adaptive Opportunities Through Sports and the Arts

The City of Dickson Parks & Recreation is expanding its adaptive recreation offerings with two new opportunities designed to help more members of our community participate, connect and share their talents.

Registration is now open for Adaptive Flag Football, offered in partnership with the Dickson Dolphins, and the department is recruiting vendors for the first Amazingly Abled Artisan Fair. Although one event takes place on the football field and the other centers on creativity, both share the same purpose: creating welcoming spaces where people can participate according to their abilities, interests and goals.

Adaptive Flag Football Brings More Athletes Into the Game

Adaptive Flag Football will provide athletes with an encouraging environment in which they can learn football skills, become more physically active and experience the excitement of being part of a team.

Practices will begin in September 2026, followed by games in October 2026. Exact practice and game dates and times will be shared with registered participants as the season schedule is finalized.

Dickson Parks & Recreation is partnering with the Dickson Dolphins to offer the program. Participants will be divided into two age and skill tiers, allowing activities, instruction and competition to be better matched to each athlete’s abilities and level of support.

The registration fee is:

• $5 for Dickson County residents
• $10 for participants who live outside Dickson County

The fee may be paid at the Dickson Parks & Recreation office at 213 Bruce Drive in Dickson.

Participants can register through the Adaptive Flag Football registration form.

The registration form helps staff learn about each athlete’s experience, abilities, communication preferences, medical needs and requested accommodations. Families are encouraged to provide as much information as possible so coaches and staff can prepare a safe and positive experience.



No previous football experience is required. The program is intended to help athletes participate at an appropriate level while developing skills such as passing, catching, movement, teamwork and sportsmanship.

Why Adaptive Sports Matter

Adaptive recreation is not a service needed by only a small number of families. More than one in four adults in the United States—approximately 70 million people—report having a disability involving mobility, cognition, hearing, vision, self-care or independent living.

People with disabilities can also face additional barriers to physical activity, including limited program options, transportation, cost, inaccessible facilities and a lack of trained support. CDC research has found that nearly half of adults with disabilities receive no aerobic physical activity, even though most can participate when appropriate opportunities and support are available.

Inclusive sports can provide benefits that reach far beyond physical fitness. Research summarized by Special Olympics has associated inclusive sports participation with improved social competence, stronger social inclusion, new friendships and fewer problem behaviors.

For families, a local adaptive program can also mean participating close to home instead of traveling to another county or larger city to find an appropriate opportunity.

“Every person deserves the opportunity to be active, develop their talents and feel like they belong in their own community,” said Nikki Holland, Program Coordinator for Dickson Parks & Recreation. “Adaptive programming is not about asking participants to fit into a program that was not designed for them. It is about listening to individuals and families, providing the support they need and creating opportunities where they can succeed. These programs also give the entire community a chance to see the abilities, creativity and potential that have always been here.”

Amazingly Abled Artisan Fair Celebrates Creativity

Adaptive programming is about more than athletics. Recreation also includes creativity, self-expression, social connection and opportunities to contribute to community life.

The Amazingly Abled Artisan Fair will be held:

Saturday, September 19, 2026
10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Holland Park

The event will be a creative showcase celebrating artisans and makers who navigate physical, intellectual, developmental, mental health or medical complexities.

Dickson Parks & Recreation is currently inviting eligible artists, crafters and makers to register as vendors. Participants may sell handmade items, artwork, crafts and other original creations while meeting members of the community and sharing the stories behind their work.

The vendor fee is $10 per space, and space is limited.

To register or request additional information, call the Dickson Parks & Recreation office at (615) 446-1721.

Vendor fees may be paid in person at:

Dickson Parks & Recreation
213 Bruce Drive
Dickson, TN 37055

Vendors may also mail a check to the same address. Payment is required to reserve a space.

Prospective vendors should contact the department with questions about space requirements, accessibility, setup assistance or other accommodations. Early registration is encouraged so staff can learn what each vendor needs and prepare the event layout accordingly.

More Than an Arts and Crafts Show

The Artisan Fair is intended to give participating makers more than a place to display their work. It gives them an opportunity to be recognized as artists, business owners and contributing members of the community.

Creative events can help participants practice communication, money management, customer service and self-advocacy. They can also create pathways toward greater confidence, entrepreneurship and community involvement.

For visitors, the fair offers an opportunity to purchase locally made items while learning more about the people who created them. Rather than focusing on limitations or diagnoses, the event will place attention where it belongs—on each artisan’s talent, ideas and accomplishments.

Building a More Inclusive Recreation System

Adaptive Flag Football and the Amazingly Abled Artisan Fair represent the beginning of a broader expansion of adaptive recreation in Dickson.

The department’s goal is not to create one isolated event each year. It is to gradually develop a range of accessible opportunities that reflect different ages, abilities and interests. That may include additional sports, arts programs, social activities, camps, special events and partnerships with community organizations.

Expansion will require feedback and involvement from participants, caregivers, volunteers, coaches, local businesses and community partners. Families are encouraged to share what kinds of programs are needed, what barriers currently prevent participation and what accommodations would make future events more accessible.

Community members can support these efforts by registering a participant, becoming a volunteer, attending the Artisan Fair, purchasing from participating makers, sharing event information or helping sponsor equipment and program supplies.

When recreation becomes more inclusive, the result is not simply a larger program calendar. It is a stronger community in which more people have opportunities to play, create, contribute and belong.