Fall River father builds sensory-friendly playground for his daughter, now aims to create inclusive space for community

FALL RIVER, Mass. (WLNE) — A Fall River father who built a sensory-friendly playground in his backyard for his daughter is now aiming to create another for the community.

Marcel Riley is a maintenance worker and dad to 4-year-old Mae-Ella Riley, who has autism.

After his girlfriend was diagnosed with stage 4 lung and brain cancer, it became harder for the family to make the trip from Fall River to sensory playgrounds in other areas.

“Going to places like Noah’s Park in New Bedford and stuff, it was unrealistic with her chemo and all her medication that she takes, so I needed to make something that they could comfortably come back here,” Marcel said.

He then began to use all his free time to start putting together a sensory playground in his own backyard.

“Lunch hours, three, two or three hours after work, whenever my daughter was napping, you know, it just became an obsession.”

He created the playground using all different kinds of nik naks, including old refrigerators, security mirrors, and pool noodles.

Marcel said he created the pool noodle wall to “teach organizational skills, motor skills… unlock her creativity eventually, you know, but I’ll be happy when she just comes out and takes them out, realizes blue is not with blue, orange ain’t with orange.”

After months and months of hard work, Marcel finished the playground for the first day of summer vacation.

“Kids with autism, they become sensory seekers,” Marcel said. “You gotta find their interests and you gotta feed into that.”

He said being able to see her play on the playground is the best feeling ever.

“Seeing your daughter play on something that you created, something that you know her interests [are] on, and you make it specifically for her, there’s no better feeling in the world than that.”

He wants to make this a possibility for all children with autism.

Marcel started a petition to create a sensory playground for everyone in Fall River at Abbott Court Park.

“Its what every kid needs,” he said. “Somewhere where they can express their interests, and just chill out, and have fun”

Anyone interested in signing the online petition can visit the website here.