Our community park, which should be a joyful place for our children to play, feels like a challenge for many parents like myself. My 2-year-old is Level 3 autistic, and like many children with autism, he is an eloper. The park, without a fence, presents a constant risk of wandering off, creating anxiety rather than enjoyment.

After discussions with many local parents, it is evident that this concern is widespread. Our children, who have the right to enjoy the outdoors safely, require a more protected environment. Fencing the park would provide us with the peace of mind knowing our children can play safely, without the constant fear of them running into dangerous areas or outside of our supervision.

Elopement is common among children with autism. In fact, studies show that nearly half of autistic children will elope from a safe place, and many parents cite it as a significant safety concern (source: National Autism Association). A fence is a simple yet effective solution to prevent potential accidents and bring reassurance to parents and guardians.

Fencing the park wouldn't just benefit families of autistic children, but all young children, providing a safer place for everyone to enjoy the outdoor facilities available to us.

With your support, we can convince the local authorities to prioritize this small but significant change. Please sign this petition to advocate for a fenced park for the safety and well-being of all children in our community.