Fall River Details Plans for New Sensory Playground

The city of Fall River unveiled plans on Thursday, Oct. 2, for a new sensory playground at Abbott Court on King Philip Street. This new playground will provide an inclusive space for children with sensory processing needs.

Mayor Paul E. Coogan, alongside interim City Administrator and Executive Director of the Community Development Agency Michael Dion, announced that the grassy park corner at King Phillip and Bowen streets will house the city's first sensory playground. The space will feature activity areas for collaborative play among children of all sensory motor abilities.

A Fall River father, Marcel Riley, initiated the idea for a community playground. He created a sensory-friendly playground in his backyard for his daughter, Mae Ella, who is on the autism spectrum.

Riley's motivation to bring his playground idea to the broader community was partly driven by his girlfriend's diagnosis with stage four lung and brain cancer. This diagnosis inspired him to champion inclusive community spaces.

“It's going to be more than a park,” Riley said to members of the press and elected city officials during the media announcement event. “I want it to be an attraction.”

ABC6 Providence spoke with Marcel about the idea in July. At that time, Marcel said he was challenged to find suitable sensory playgrounds within the Fall River community.

Riley's advocacy efforts included creating a petition that garnered more than 1,000 signatures and gaining approval from Coogan.

According to an NBC 10 News WJAR report, the city planned to budget up to $600,000 for the project to build Mae's Playground. City leaders hope to break ground on the project next spring. 

“We're more than willing to work with residents when they have a good idea that'll improve the city and make this a better place for our kids,” Coogan said in a statement shared with The Herald News.