The Vashon Park District will host two events at the community pool for those with limited abilities to swim at a relaxed pace on Dec. 15 and Jan. 12 from 12 to 2 p.m.

The Swimming with Disabilities days at the pool are intended as opportunities for seniors and the disabled to enjoy leisure and exercise which may be more prohibitive during regular open swim hours.

The benefits of swimming for those with limited abilities are many, and range from alleviating depression to improving the health of those with arthritis, said Aquatics Manager Ann White in an email.

“Swimming helps children improve family and social connections. Swimming also improves physiological well being through increased independence, as well as, enhancing transfer skills such as getting from the wheelchair to the pool and vice-versa,” she said. “Swimming increases muscle endurance and is a great form of strength training. Swimming is also beneficial to aging people without straining muscles and joints.

According to park district secretary Abby Antonelis, the idea for the program stemmed from responses to the 2016 district community survey, which identified the need for such additional programming for underserved groups. She and district commissioner Karen Gardner, said Antonelis, have met with islanders over the course of several months including parents and other community representatives to devise new ideas to create programming which is suitable for everyone.

“Over the course of talking about other things, this has been brought up time and time again, that open swim is too overwhelming for some,” she said.

Antonelis said she is proud of the standard being set by the work of commissioners at the park district, adding that the Swimming with Disabilities days at the pool are an example of the services she feels a responsibility to help provide.

“I joined the park board specifically to help our community, and that is what I want to do and be a voice for people who need it,” she said.