Understanding Accessibility in Sterling Heights
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From miles of parks and trails that span the city to community events like Dodge Park Thursdays, residents and visitors of Sterling Heights enjoy a higher quality of life when they take advantage of the countless amenities the city has to offer.

But what if you were unable to take advantage of them?

What if you faced barriers that make the city you live, work, and play in inaccessible?

Here's a look at what Sterling Heights is doing to remove these barriers and improve accessibility to make our city more welcoming.

An accessible community is one with intentionally designed spaces that are easy for everyone to navigate. Our goal is to enhance quality of life, not just meet the bare minimum.

Every developed park within the city is ADA accessible, each with its own unique features.

At Rotary and North Clinton River Parks, the EZDock system is designed for kayakers and canoers to enjoy easy launching and docking. The accompanying accessible transfer system provides individuals with disabilities accessibility that exceeds ADA compliance, with a transfer bench and slide boards of two different heights allowing users to simply sit, slide over and drop down into a kayak or canoe, then use the side rails to pull off or back on.

Inside the flourishing Community Garden at Nelson Park, raised garden beds are available for individuals with green thumbs that use wheelchairs, walkers, or other mobility devices, making gardening and fresh produce available for everyone.

On a hot summer day, those cooling off at Splash Pad can expect to see our two water-safe wheelchairs that accommodate the diverse needs and abilities of our visitors. The pediatric beach wheelchair and adult pool access wheelchair are available for community members to reserve for free. Reservations can be made by contacting the Dodge Park Splash Pad hotline at 586-446-2711.

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Looking for a little more adventure?  The Grit Freedom chair, an all-terrain wheelchair, is available to check out at the Community Center for those with mobility issues that want to explore our parks and trails with ease.

Other ADA accessible facilities include the Bocce Barn, Dog Park, Skate Park, Nature Center, Community Center and Senior Center.

To assist in reaching these destinations, the Senior Center offers a Minibus Service for Sterling Heights residents over the age of 55 who are unable to drive, and for residents with disabilities. This curb-to-curb service offers transportation to medical and shopping appointments, city programs and facilities and City Council meetings.

Inclusion in Sterling Heights shines through our programming.

The Adaptive Recreation program recognizes participants who benefit from structured social, physical, and community-based activities and makes them a priority. In 2024 alone, more than 2,200 participants joined us in these programs.

The program hosts cherished and customized events like Adaptive Prom, as well as weekly year-round and seasonal programs like Adaptive Yoga, NEAR Softball, Bike Club, and Kickball. During colder months, Sensory friendly Sundays take over the Dodge Park Ice Rink on the second Sunday of each month from December through February between 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. This offers a calmer skating experience with dimmed lighting and no music.

Signature events like Touch-a-Truck at Dodge Park Thursdays, Sterling Frights and A Sterling Christmas also feature sensory friendly experiences. The first hour of Touch-a-Truck on Sept. 25, 2025, will be sensory friendly from 3-4 p.m., with no horns, sirens, or flashers. Sensory tents will also be available at Sterling Frights on Oct. 18, 2025, and at A Sterling Christmas on Dec. 6, 2025.

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Beyond Parks and Recreation, educational services such as the Sterling Heights Public Library also offer specialized programming, including Sensory Friendly Storytime. This monthly program creates a calm, distraction-free environment that is welcoming for all children to read and learn.

On Oct. 11, 2025, the library will host "Discover Together: An Inclusive Library Experience", a free open house where patrons can explore inclusive library services and connect with local organizations that support individuals and families of all abilities.

Accessibility isn't just necessary in physical spaces. It's pertinent to how we serve the public and share information within our community.

Sterling Heights is proud to be the only municipality in Macomb County that offers Adaptive Recreation programs led by a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS). This credential ensures our programs are developed and coordinated to meet the medical, emotional, social, and behavioral needs of individuals seeking adapted recreational experiences.

This commitment to inclusion is also present in public safety. The Sterling Heights Police operates a Special Needs Registry, which is a confidential tool designed to help our officers better respond to individuals of any age with disabilities, medical conditions, or unique behavioral needs during emergency situations. This allows families and caregivers to share communication preferences, sensory sensitivities, de-escalation techniques, and emergency contacts directly with our first responders.

A city dedicated to innovation, we are always looking ahead for ways to improve essential services and make Sterling Heights more accessible. The current programming, infrastructure, and services exist with the purpose of enhancing the quality of life for each resident and visitor of our city.

To learn more about our Adaptive programming, visit our website.

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