“Everyone loves to get their groove on at the Gilmore,” Benjamin Kowalczyk explained, referring to two well-attended classes at the Dorothy Gilmore Adaptive Recreation Center.
While all the classes offered at the Center have regulars, he’s noticed the Adaptive Zumba and Adaptive Aerobics draw the largest crowds. In both classes, participants with physical or cognitive disabilities jive to upbeat music while watching for the instructor’s cues. Kowalczyk, supervisor of the Dorothy Gilmore Adaptive Recreation Center, thinks it is the music that draws the crowds.
After the excitement, if participants feel overwhelmed or overstimulated, they can head to the sensory room. The sensory room helps visitors self-regulate emotions by increasing or decreasing sensory input as needed. It’s a controlled environment with a variety of visual and tactile experiences where visitors can “find their calm” according to Kowalczyk.
From breaking a sweat to taking a breather, the Center wants to be a place “Where Abilities and dis-Abilities Become POSS-ABILITIES”
Throughout its history, the Center hasn’t always catered to visitors with limitations. Originally, it was known as The Teen Center and Glendale Park. After its dedication in honor of Dorothy Gilmore in 1991, it was renamed the Dorothy D. Gilmore Youth Center and Park. Then, when Dorothy Gilmore retired, the Center’s focus shifted. No longer a Youth Center, it became a Therapeutic Recreation Center. Finally, after closing for extensive renovations, it reopened in October 2023 as the Dorothy Gilmore Adaptive Recreation Center.
Kowalczyk, who has worked for the City of Fayetteville since 2017, says he can’t think of a more fulfilling and rewarding job.
“Working at this center and with this community has been an absolute blast,” he remarked. His work includes managing operations and programming and assisting with Special Olympics Cumberland County and the Buddy Sports League. Both Special Olympics Cumberland County and the Buddy Sports League make playing sports accessible for the adaptive community.
Special Olympics Cumberland County is a branch of Special Olympics North Carolina. The Cumberland County branch offers year-round training and competition for intellectually disabled children and adults. There are 14 different sports available. This summer, a swim camp made possible by a grant from the Cumberland Community Foundation was held for 8-14 year olds. The fall holds opportunities for soccer, tennis, bocce, and golf. SOCC participants also get to play in local, regional and state competitions.
The Buddy Sports League helps participants get physical exercise while building team spirit and learning new skills. Disabled children are paired with a non-disabled volunteer as necessary and get to learn the basics of baseball, flag football, indoor soccer, and basketball.
According to the Fayetteville-Cumberland County Parks and Recreation website, past volunteers have hailed from local organizations, school athletic teams, service groups, and athlete’s family and friend groups. Kowalczyk says the Center is always recruiting new buddy volunteers.
The Center offers many activities beyond sports programs. There’s a fitness room and a lounge area, and activities such as classes and special events.
Classes include Adaptive Recreational Social Group, Adaptive Karate, Creative Art Class, Gilmore Baking 101, and Please Pass the Peas.
Please Pass the Peas focuses on mastering simple meal preparation. Adaptive Recreational Social group is a chance for participants to socialize, experiment with arts and crafts, and to do a bit of exercise together.
Past special events include Splash Day and Adaptive Golf Clinic. Upcoming, visitors can attend the 3rd Annual Touch a Truck on Sept. 21, Halloween Dance: “Monster Mash” on Oct. 25, and Girls and Guys Night Out. Every month, participants in Girls and Guys Night out will spend time on a themed outing with old and new friends. The September theme is Bowling, October is Movie Night, and November is Mall Walking. Attendees are accompanied by a chaperone, and the center is always looking for more volunteers to serve as chaperones.
When asked how new visitors could “get their feet wet” at the Center, Kowalczyk quipped, “We do have a splash pad around back!”
He added that it is best to come during the day if it's your first visit. This gives visitors time to familiarize themselves with the activities, meet other participants, and meet staff. Kowalczyk says the staff at the center wants to use the recreational services and leisure experiences to help people with limitations make the most of their lives - physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially. His personal favorite part of his job description is “hanging out” with participants.
Many events and programs require registration, and an introductory visit is a perfect time to learn which activities are still open for registration and which have closed. The center is open to the public, but visitors who are not independent should be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
“We are very inclusive and make every effort to welcome in everyone no matter their ability level,” Kowalczyk concluded.
For more information about the Dorothy Gilmore Adaptive Recreation Center, visit https://www.fcpr.us/facilities/recreation-centers/dorothy-gilmore-therapeutic or call 910-433-1000.

(Photo: The sign outside of the Dorothy D. Gilmore Adaptive Recreation Center greets guests as they enter the facility's campus. The center reopened in October 2023 as an adaptive rec center. Photo courtesy of City of Fayetteville Flickr from the Oct. 2023 opening)