TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) -- This month marks the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Edith Ball Adaptive Recreation Center in midtown.

From the heated and covered recreation pool to wide deck space, fitness classes and therapy pool - the goal is for it to be a place for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy. Last year about 50,000 people visited.

"It has been wonderful to see how many people have been able to use it and feel much better for having this facility to do it in." Patrons of the Adaptive Recreation Center (PARC) volunteer Margot Hurst said.

The recreation center is located at 3455 E. Zoo Ct.

While it has been open for two decades, Hurst says the work to bring it to the Tucson community started about 30 years ago.

"The medium of aquatics is so important for everybody's rehab, for one," Hurst said. "And recreation is so important for somebody's soul. It should be a part of everybody's life."

The recreation center is open year-round and admission is free.

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Madison Thomas joined KGUN 9 in July of 2023 as a multimedia journalist. She graduated from Arizona State University in May of 2023 with a degree in journalism and mass communication. She has lived in Arizona her entire life and grew up in Douglas. Madison is thrilled to share the stories from the community she grew up in. Share your story ideas and important issues with Madison by emailing [email protected] or by connecting on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.