DISABLED ACCESS MADE EASY AT 2005 RENO RIVER FESTIVAL
RENO, Nev. (April 29, 2005) — In addition to providing downtown Reno with endless outdoor recreation and a unique hometown landmark, the Truckee River Whitewater Park also offers adventure opportunities to the mobility impaired. And those opportunities will be put to the test at this year's Reno River Festival, May 12-15, 2005, when disabled athletes join in the fun with a mobility impaired clinic that is accessible at two different locations within the park.
"It's important that everyone has equal access to the city's parks and recreation areas no matter their skill level and our new Truckee River Whitewater Park has put that concept into action,"said Andy Fernandez, inclusion supervisor for the City of Reno. "With two separate access points for those with disabilities, the Truckee River Whitewater Park is truly a place that everyone can come down and enjoy."
The Clinic for People with Disabilities, in conjunction with the Reno River Festival, is scheduled for Sunday, May 15, from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. The adaptive whitewater clinic will focus on individual's mobility impairments and will teach the basics of kayaking, following guidelines that have been adapted for people with disabilities.
"Reno-Tahoe is America's Adventure Place and we strive to make that brand something that everyone can embrace, "said Deanna Ashby, executive director of marketing for the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority (RSCVA). "The Reno River Festival is a real example of our community working together to make downtown Reno a place that everyone can enjoy and we hope to see a lot of kayaking enthusiasts out on the river this year."
Participation in the mobility impaired clinic is available on a first-come first-served basis. Pre-registration is required and can be completed on-site at the Reno River Festival on Saturday, May 14.
For more information regarding the 2005 Reno River Festival and related events, please visit www.RenoRiverFestival.com. For more information about Reno-Tahoe, Americaâ's Adventure Place, logon to www.VisitRenoTahoe.com or call 800-FOR-RENO (800-367-7366). For more information on the City of Reno's Clinic for People with Disabilities, contact Inclusion Supervisor, Andy Fernandez at 775-326-6316.
The Reno River Festival is held at the $1.5 million Truckee River Whitewater Park, located in the heart of Reno's booming downtown business and arts district. The park, with rapids rated class 2 and 3, is both Nevada's and the region's first whitewater park and kayak slalom racing course, totaling 2,600 feet in length and featuring north and south channels that surround an outdoor amphitheater and park. There are 11 "drop pools" and specially-placed boulders for kayaking maneuvers, a slalom racing course, and 7,000 tons of smooth flat rocks along the shores for easy river access and spectator seating.