On Saturday, April 21, starting at 11:30 a.m., an accessible playground will open at the Montanelli Gardens in Milan.
The event, called "Play for All," is sponsored by the Steering Committee of the nascent Community Foundation Milan and Fondazione Cariplo, with the endorsement of the City of Milan (Department of Urban Planning, Parks, and Agriculture) and the collaboration of organizations that shaped and built the project: UILDM, L'Abilità, Disabili No Limits, and Inter Campus, with organizational support from Agiamo (Friends of the Montanelli Gardens).
UILDM contributed both funding and expertise to the playground's design. This support is part of the broader rollout of "Learning Through Play," a campaign launched during UILDM's National Day in 2017 to make playgrounds across Italy more inclusive.
Schedule for the day
11:25 a.m. Opening ceremony: Mayor Giuseppe Sala, Fondazione Cariplo President Giuseppe Guzzetti, and Alderman Pierfrancesco Maran
11:30 a.m. Play, animation, and entertainment: children will explore the new accessible play area through an interactive story guided by animators from AMAmente; they'll play instruments with the AllegroModerato Orchestra; create magical soap bubbles with BillyBolla; and experience the thrill of scoring a goal in the Inter Campus soccer space under the guidance of international coaches.
3:00 p.m. Author reading
4:30 p.m. Closing remarks
About the project
The "Parks for All" initiative calls for creating equipped play areas in Milan's public parks—featuring accessible and inclusive rides and games—to break down barriers that children with disabilities face and to let all children share in the joy of play.
This landmark project, spearheaded by the Steering Committee of the Community Foundation Milan, identifies children's needs and the right of disabled children to play as a matter of general public interest.
The event will be hosted by Marco Maccarini, a television and radio presenter.
Source: L'Abilità