An official ribbon cutting was held on August 12 to celebrate the opening of the first inclusive playground in the Town of Greece. Located at Basil Marella Park, the playground was built through a partnership between the Town of Greece and Endless Highway.
Endless Highway, led by Rob Tortorella and Caralie Fennessey, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to ensuring children and young adults with physical disabilities have opportunities to participate in adaptive and inclusive sports, recreation, and arts. This organization raised $50,000 with an aggressive fundraising campaign for the We-Go-Round swing and partnered with young Greece resident Santii Patel, who wanted something for kids with disabilities to play on. The town’s contribution to the project was over $165,000.
The Town of Greece supported the remaining development of the playground, which includes a sensory center, swings, and the We-Go-Swing. The We-Go-Swing, introduced in January 2021, is one of the first to be built and debuted at this playground. It is the first wheelchair platform swing to meet all playground safety codes. This amenity allows a person in a wheelchair to swing with their friends and family without restriction and without having to leave the main play area.
The development and implementation of this playground was a community collaboration. On June 11 and 12 of this year, volunteers participated in a Community Build where they helped to assemble and install the majority of the playground equipment. This playground also features “poured in place” rubber surfacing, which is a unitary surface that allows for ease of mobility. Other site amenities include benches, shade systems, and a fence, which is important for safety and security. The goal of this playground is to maximize the play value for those of all abilities. Additionally, the restrooms have been adapted to incorporate a changing table that is designed for both kids and adults to be changed with minimal challenges.
“We are fortunate to live in such a supportive community,” said Greece Town Supervisor Bill Reilich. “Stay tuned as future improvements, designed for comfort and accessibility, are planned.”
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