Fall River Dad Raises $88,550 to Complete Mae’s Sensory-Friendly Playground After Earmark Slashed

When word got out that a $100,000 earmark requested by state Rep. Alan Silvia to help with the creation of a sensory friendly playground for special needs children was cut down to $10,000, the public was asked to help raise money to fill the gap for the approximately $1.02 million project at Abbott Court Park.

And boy, did the community step up with a vengeance. 

Like $88,550 worth in donations that means the fundraising goal of over a million dollars to build the park has been reached.

The city is expected to break ground in the spring that’s expected to break ground in the spring and serve autistic, handicapped and neurodivergent kids.

Fall River father, Marcel Riley, who took up the effort to build the specialized play facility over a year ago to provide a fun, safe and educational experience for his five-year-old autistic non-verbal daughter, Mae, and other kids with similar challenges.

Riley’s project began in a homemade sensory friendly play area in his backyard he built for Mae. The fiver-year-old who is starting kindergarten this year was given the autism diagnosis three years ago. It was around the same time the family learned his fiancé and Mae’s mother was diagnosed with stage IV brain and lung cancer which she continues to fight.

“Amazing,” said Riley when asked about the fundraising results. “I think it was the perfect storm.”

Since he pitched the idea to the city a year ago, Riley said the feedback is that it’s generated is that its “an awesome project and there is a need.”

“One thing about Fall River, we can sometimes tear each other apart, but don’t be someone from the outside try to say our children don’t count as much as other causes. They know these are kids who can’t speak up for themselves.”

“It’s hard not to fall in love with your city.”

CDA takes on Mae’s playground project

Riley set up a petition and managed to get 1,500 signatures in support of the city building the park.

He said when Mayor Paul Coogan’s administration heard about his efforts to raise money for the sensory-friendly park, and a meeting was set up to meet with Community Development Agency’s Executive Director Michael Dion, and the city was sold on the idea.

No stranger to park improvement projects in the city, Dion set out to raise the money through grants and other funding sources.

The Community Development Preservation Act Committee has pledged $200,000 and another $100,000 is secured from CDA’s Community Development Block Grant.

Dion said he’s submitted a grant application for a $250,000 Massachusetts Disability Grant, and a $450,000 Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities (PARC) state grant managed through CDA. 

Dion expressed confidence that the City would be approved for the grant money for the project.

A cost analysis and designs are completed by Starck Architects for Mae’s Playground.

Local business, groups and regular people headed the call 

When word travelled that the $100,000 earmark was slashed to $10,000 due to political retaliation against Rep. Silvia,  the publisher of the Fall River Reporter and New Bedford Guide, Michael Silvia no relation), delivered a challenge to local businesses. In exchange for a donation from a local business, he would provide marketing services to the donors.

The response was immediate.

At least 28 businesses, non-profits and private citizens dropped off over $77,000 to city hall. There were $9,000 in online donations from groups and businesses. 

Donations came in from diverse sectors in the community from a dog group, clinicians, restaurants and private citizens from out of state.

There were people who gave cash donations from putting on their own fundraisers. 

Just recently the non-profit, We Love Children, who have aided children and families, presented Riley with a $25,000 donation

What started out as a quest by a single father has brought a community together.

“I’m humbled,” said Riley.