ABOUT MAE
My name is Marcel Riley. I have a beautiful 4-year-old nonverbal autistic daughter, Mae-Ella. After her mom was diagnosed with stage 4 lung and brain cancer, everything changed for our family. As I watched my girlfriend fight with such strength and courage, I realized that traveling to inclusive sensory parks this summer for Mae-Ella would be a challenge. That inspired me to create a sensory-friendly space in our own backyard—a place where my family could find joy, comfort, and connection.
Watching my little girl light up in that backyard, I found a deeper purpose. That’s when I started working to build a sensory-friendly space designed for all children of all abilities—a place where every child can feel safe, welcome, and included.
Building this playground is about providing an opportunity for Mae Ella, and other kids in our community, to have a place to play and have fun. We need your help to make it happen. Every donation, regardless of size, gets us one step closer to making it a reality.
THE PROJECT LOCATION: ABBOTT COURT
Abbott Court is located on Birch Street in Fall River, encompassing four acres with two baseball fields, two basketball courts, and a skate park. A few years ago the City removed the existing playground due to it’s detereriating condition.
As the development of a new playground was already being considered by the City, they were very receptive to the development of a sensory-friendly version.
WHY WE NEED A SENSORY-FRIENDLY PLAYGROUND
Approximately 7.3 million, or 14 percent of all school-age children in the U.S. have disabilities, and nearly 240 million children worldwide, or one in 10, live with disabilities. Closer to home, approximately 1 in 36 children in the United States is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder—that’s about 2.8% of all children.
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But the need for inclusive play goes far beyond autism, including children with ADHD, sensory processing differences, physical disabilities, anxiety, or trauma histories. Most current public play spaces preclude the full participation of children due to physical barriers, e.g., sand or woodchip ground surface, narrow pathways, and lack of ramp to play structures, as well as social barriers.
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You might be wondering what exactly makes a playground “sensory-friendly.” Simply put, it means designing spaces to work for children who experience the world differently. Traditional playgrounds can feel overwhelming or challenging for kids whose brains process sensory information differently—bright lights might feel too intense, loud sounds could be startling, or certain textures might be uncomfortable. Right now, families in our community are driving long distances to find inclusive playgrounds, or their children are missing out on play opportunities altogether. Mae’s Playground will change that by creating a space where every child can experience the joy of play alongside their peers.
THE VISION
Imagine a child’s face lighting up when they discover something amazing on a playground. That magical moment of pure joy is what Mae’s Playground will be all about. We’re working to create a special place where every child—regardless of their abilities, needs, or how they experience the world—can feel that same wonder and excitement.
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Mae’s Playground won’t be just another play space. We’re designing a thoughtfully planned environment where children with autism, sensory processing differences, physical disabilities, and neurotypical kids can all play together safely and comfortably. We believe that play is one of childhood’s greatest teachers, and every child deserves access to those important lessons of friendship, discovery, and pure fun.
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Our planned playground will grow with your child, offering gentle exploration areas for our littlest visitors aged 2-5, exciting adventures for kids 5-8, and engaging challenges for our 8-12 year old explorers. Whether your child loves to climb, prefers quiet discovery, needs space to move and jump, or thrives on sensory input, we’re designing spaces that will welcome them exactly as they are.
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Right now, Mae’s Playground exists in our hearts, our plans, and our dreams. But with your support, we can make it a reality for our community.
"Play is the highest form of research"
-Albert Einstein