Special Playground Ready to Open

Nassau County's first handicapped accessible playground is nearing completion and a benefit event tonight will make the facility closer to reality, organizers say.

A star-studded benefit for the "Let All the Children Play" playground at Eisenhoweer Park is scheduled for Tuesday Nov. 1 at The Carltun from 6-10 p.m., officials said.

"This is all about physically challenged kids who need a special swing just to participate, a special slide to slide on,” said Nassau Legislator Judy Jacobs, D-Woodbury, who will be present at the event Tuesday at the Carltun. “Now we finally have a playground that can meet the needs of these children.”

Due to Hurricane Irene, the playground itself is still under construction, but the evening's charity event will help to support Let All the Children Play and future inclusive programming at the Eisenhower Park site.

The event honorees, Ellen and Harvey Weisenberg and Kerry and Michael Cohn, were chosen for their ongoing support of Let All The Children Play as well as their exceptional commitment to children with disabilities, organizers said

The evening will include a cocktail hour, full buffet dinner, raffles, silent auction and live auction plus entertainment by David Clark’s Songs in the Attic- the Music of Billy Joel.

Construction is almost complete at the $1.25 million, 2-acre site of the Let All The Children Play Accessible Park and Playground at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow. By next spring, the facility will offer inclusive recreation opportunities for children of ALL abilities as well as additional out of school recreation opportunities geared toward children with disabilities.

“As the father of a son with Down syndrome who is already 26-years-old, my wife and I had always wished that there was a place where Adam could play with his more able-bodied peers in an inclusive environment,” said David Weingarten, Founding Director of LATCP. “...I believe that the park is beneficial to both children with and without disabilities since inclusion provides typical children with the ability to develop leadership skills and compassion while children with disabilities develop a greater level of self-confidence and feeling of acceptance.”

Among the public officials attending is Nassau Country Executive Edward Mangano will be joining us as well as Nassau County Legislator Judy Jacobs.

Legislator Jacobs pointed to another factor: The playground offers an opportunity for physically challenged kids to meet and play with each other in a supportive environment, as well as the chance to interact with all types of children, regardless of their abilities.

The $100 per dinner donation goes to assist the charity. For more information contact Kerry Gillick-Goldberg at kerry@kggpr.com

For more photos, See Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Let-All-The-Children-Play/291821190342#!/pages/Let-All-The-Children-Play/291821190342