<< Back to Media page

Bodie's Place to make playground accessible

FRANK JULIANO - 05/18/2008

MILFORD — Little Johnny Vaccino is called "Bodie" by his family, and the little boy who uses a wheelchair is the inspiration for a playground that will be accessible to all children regardless of their needs or abilities.

"Bodie's Place" will offer universal accessibility, so everyone will be able to reach the highest play deck. The facility will offer sensory-rich activities, cozy gathering spots and accessible amenities, including tables and restroom facilities.

John Vaccino Jr. told the Mayor's Commission for People with Disabilities that the facility he envisions will cost about $400,000, and that volunteers will kick off the fundraising effort at the Milford Oyster Festival in August.

The group has a Web site, www.bodiesplace.org, along with T-shirts and hats with a firefly logo and the slogan "Catch the Spark... Let's Build a Park!"

Members of the disabilities commission, meeting in the Milford Senior Center last week, also caught the spark. Mayor James L. Richetelli Jr. assured Vaccino and his wife that the city will provide the land. And Joseph DellaMonica, an employee of Home Depot in Orange, said the company may assist in the project. "We get 400 or more employees on their own time and a company called Ka-Boom builds the structural elements. It takes a day and a half usually," DellaMonica said.

Lisa Vaccino told the commission that the project has a passionate group of supporters, modeling efforts on Hannah's Dream, an accessible playground in New Haven.

They plan to approach local civic groups once Bodie's Place has its tax-exempt status, John Vaccino said. "That isn't why people donate, but we'd like to be able to give them a tax deduction," he said. "And we want to get as many people involved as we can. The park will be for everyone and we want everyone involved in building it."