Cincinnati Parks Foundation and Skate Downtown Cincinnati hosted the first-ever be.well roller skating “Try-It Day” last month at the Sawyer Point Riverfront Rink.
This unique event, part of the broader be.well program in partnership with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, brought together children with disabilities and their families for a day of roller skating—a new experience for many of the participants.
Year-Round Initiative Promoting Active Lifestyles
The be.well program is a year-round initiative designed to empower children with disabilities by introducing them to a wide range of outdoor activities. From yoga and hiking, strength training, running, martial arts, and biking to special Try-It Days, where the participants can enjoy single day events like disc golf and skating. be.well aims to improve the well-being of these children by encouraging active lifestyles and a sense of community.
A Celebration of Childhood Joy
“Childhood summers are marked by so many important things. The pool. Ice cream. Lightning bugs. Tag,” said Jennifer Angeli, PT, DPT, Ph.D., a pediatric physical therapist and leader of the be.well program at Cincinnati Children’s. “These joyful parts are no less important to kids whose lives are also marked by developmental disability. We are proud to have launched our partnership Morgan Rigaud and Skate Downtown Cincy. We punctuated August with an inclusive lesson and free DJ’d skate session for 55 kids. A hoorah to Cincinnati Parks for giving us a most accessible and lovely place to play just like everyone else,” she said.
Skate Downtown Cincinnati provided skates, helmets and volunteers who provided personalized instruction. These volunteers were the heart of the event, offering one-on-one guidance and support, ensuring that every child felt safe, encouraged and ready to embrace this new challenge.
Building Confidence
“We rallied skaters to volunteer to be skate buddies for the be.well skaters,” explained Morgan Rigaud, leader of Skate Downtown Cincinnati. “Working with the Children’s Hospital team, we had everyone up on wheels and moving through the rink, a day made even better with skate music playing and perfect weather,” she said.
The joy of the participants was undeniable as they took their first, slightly unsteady steps on the rink. With the help of dedicated volunteers, they quickly gained confidence, learning the basics of balance and movement. For many, it was more than just learning to skate; it was about experiencing a sense of accomplishment and joy in a supportive environment.
One of the volunteers in attendance was Dylan Morton, a popular skater in Cincinnati who, in addition to teaching regular skate workshops at the Sawyer Point Riverfront Rink and the Over-the-Rhine Community Center, travels around the world to teach and perform, including onstage during Super Bowl LVIII in 2024 with Usher.
“The kids were eager to learn from Dylan in the workshop,” Rigaud said. “Then, after the skate session, Dylan performed an acrobatic freestyle routine on skates that blew us all away,” she said.
The success of this Try It Day speaks to the core mission of the be.well program: to empower children with disabilities by offering them opportunities to be active outdoors, make new friends, and improve their health. By partnering with local organizations like Skate Downtown Cincinnati and leveraging the passion of volunteers, be.well continues to create inclusive spaces with a 200-year-old park system, giving participants the opportunity to explore their potential and build new skills.