By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
BUTTERFLIES on string filled the sky to the tune of drums and laughter as around 2000 people gathered for the grand opening of the Marriot Waters all abilities play space.
Centred around inclusion and designed for everyone, Livvi’s Place was officially opened for play on Sunday 13 September to the delight of hundreds of disabled children, carers and parents who could all slide, swing, dig in the sand and move around the playground together.
A dream turned reality for volunteer community co-ordinator and ambassador for the project, Therese Howell, who said her son, Jack Howell, summed the project up in his speech.
Born without a left hand and a shortened forearm 11-year-old Jack spoke on behalf of all the young people who will benefit from the community meeting and play space.
“This is a playground for all children, whether you have a disability or not, we can all play together,” he explained, and that’s what they did!
Ms Howell said the wheelchair friendly carousel was a big hit on the day along with the seated flying fox and jumbo-sized slide with adjacent ramp.
“This play space has removed all the barriers for people and families of children with disabilities with linking paths for easy access to all the equipment,” Ms Howell told Star News.
The first of its kind in the region and after two years in the making, Ms Howell said she was blown away by the huge turnout on the day.
“Our Facebook page was predicting about 500 people, but the beautiful weather and the local charities and community organisations that banded together brought everyone out,” she said.
Safely open for use, Victoria’s second Livvi’s play space still has a few fun bits and pieces to be added.
“Some additional elements will be coming in the next few weeks including wheelchair accessible sand diggers and sand table and a lot more interactive panels,” Ms Howell explained.
Utilising the all-inclusive amphitheatre with wheelchair cut-ins the playground patrons were treated to performances from the special needs group at Cathy Lea Dancing, signing from Auslan and singing from Hey Dee Ho Music and a butterfly kite flying spectacular from the Casey Scouts.
Buzzing with excitement on the day the Livvi’s Place Facebook page was also alive with comments of praise after its first day and Ms Howell said many of the messages hit home for her.
Cassie Van Diemen wrote: “Awesome, awesome playground. It’s so amazing and made me smile so much today to see my daughter playing and included with all the other kids. It truly is an inclusive play space. Thank you.”
Since 2006, The Touched by Olivia Foundation has supported and opened 14 Livvi’s Places across Australia and Rebecca Ho from the organisation said she had seen each and every community embrace them over her four-year involvement.
“All abilities play spaces are critical, and the communities they are built in really take them on and make them their own.
“The spaces create social opportunities for parents, carers and siblings who are otherwise quite isolated or often have to leave their disabled family member at home because there aren’t adequate amenities or access for them,” Ms Ho explained.
Victoria’s first Livvi’s Place was built in St Alban’s at Errington Reserve in 2013 and its newest place can be found at the Marriot Waters Recreation Reserve in Lyndhurst.
