My name’s Marcel Riley. I’m a full-time maintenance man at Bayvillage Apartments but more importantly, I’m a full-time dad to a beautiful 4-year-old non-verbal autistic daughter.

About 3 years ago, the city removed a small playground at Abbott Court Park — a space my daughter and I used often. We adapted, started going to other sensory-friendly spots. But then, in August, her mom — my girlfriend — was diagnosed with stage 4 lung & brain cancer. Life changed overnight, and so did her ability to travel to a park or sensory friendly place for our little girl.

Like any Dad whose kid needed that special bat or pair skates to reach their potential I built a tailor-made sensory playground for her in my backyard.The response from neighbors and other families was overwhelming. That’s when I realized: this shouldn’t just be in my backyard. Fall River needs a sensory park.I see first hand at my place of employment ,Bayvillage Apartments the need for a place like this, not only for families in our neighborhood but for the city.

Abbott Court is still there — with a basketball court, skate ramps, and a baseball field — but the old playground is gone. That space is perfect for a new purpose: a sensory-friendly, inclusive playground designed for neurodiverse kids and families.

Imagine:

Adaptive swings, calming spaces, soft ground
Visual, tactile, and auditory sensory features
A safe place for kids with autism or sensory processing needs to explore freely

This isn’t about just play — it’s about accessibility, dignity, learning and belonging.

Help me convince the City of Fall River that this matters. Let’s turn that empty lot into something powerful. Something healing. Something fun.

Sign the petition. Share it. Let’s build something positive for a population that needs it.

— Marcel Riley

Fall River, MA