BRIEF: KidsPeace planning sensory-friendly playground at its site in Fountain Hill

April 10--KidsPeace officials announced Tuesday that they are planning to build a sensory-friendly playground at the organization's Broadway Campus in Fountain Hill.

The new playground will be designed to serve the needs of the nearly 250 children who participate in the organization's three programs for children with autism and other sensory challenges.

"Our vision is to provide a safe recreational and therapeutic environment for kids of all ages and physical abilities. It's tremendously important for their development to have the opportunity to play and engage with each other," says Alexis Harvey, program manager for the KidsPeace's autism programs, in a prepared statement.

KidsPeace officials need $36,360 to build the playground and they have already raised nearly 70 percent of that goal.

Autism disorder affects one in 68 children in the U.S., statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show. It's a complex developmental disability, which appears in early childhood and affects a person's ability to communicate and interact with others.

Info on the playground project, how to help: www.kidspeace.org/playground.

jsheehan@mcall.com

610-820-6628

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