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Metroparks, non-profits host inclusive adventure expo in downtown Toledo

Climbing trees, canoeing, archery are all activities that can pose challenges to those with disabilities. But Sunday, folks had fun doing all of that and more.

Some who were out at Middlegrounds Metroparks in downtown Toledo weren't just taking advantage of Sunday's sunshine and beautiful weather, they also wanted to let everyone know the outdoors are for one and all. 

"Climbing a tree, in a canoe, doing some archery,' Kelly Milewski, Environmental Education Specialist for Metroparks Toledo, said about the activities available at Sunday's event. 

But for some people with disabilities, those activities can pose great challenges and that's why The Ability Center and The Epilepsy Center of Northwest Ohio held the free inclusive adventure expo.

"Even if you have a disability we want to put you in a tree or in a canoe just like anybody else would be able to. At our parks, we want to make sure everybody's inclusive, everybody's welcome and everybody feels welcome here," Milewski said.

Toledo Metroparks employees helped anyone interested in activities like archery, fishing, yard games and much more.

The goal was to demonstrate that the outdoors are for everyone -- even those with disabilities.


"I think it's great. I've seen people with all sorts of abilities here today and I'm glad that it drew a big crowd of people. It really is anyone can participate and anyone can do something so it's really great to see and I'm looking forward to more of these types of events," Valerie Fatica, who attended the event, said.

It was also a way to bring folks from all walks of life out to the county's most urban metropark in downtown Toledo.


This expo was the first held at Middlegrounds, but it certainly wasn't the last.

"We might even move them around the district. We have 16 parks that are open here in Lucas County and we want to bring all this to everybody in our county," Milewski said.

"I think I'm gonna do it next year," Sara Campbell, another event attendee, said. 

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