Plans for sensory-friendly ‘Mae’s Playground’ unveiled in Fall River

FALL RIVER, Mass. (WLNE) — Fall River officials and a proud father unveiled plans for “Mae’s Playground,” the city’s first sensory-friendly playground.

The playground will be located at Abbott Court Park, the brainchild of Marcel Riley, the father of four-year-old Mae Ella Riley.

After traveling to sensory-friendly playgrounds in New Bedford became unfeasible, Marcel built a sensory-friendly playground in his backyard for Mae.

He created a petition to create the playground, and got the attention and approval of Mayor Paul Coogan.

Marcel said that seeing the project come to life in Abbott Court made it particularly special.

The mayor expects ground to be broken on the project next spring, with the park having a budget of $600,000.