For more information, please contact Susan Ring Brown at sringbrown@ne-arc.org or call 978-924-5211.

Designed Specifically for Our Kids

Children on the Autism spectrum are at higher risk for anxiety and depression than their neurotypical peers.

Playing outdoors offers them opportunities to burn off energy and to develop the ability to manage their behaviors, to learn turn-taking skills, to pick the activity of greatest interest to them, to increase motor skills and balance, and to make friends. Sensory elements for the new playground will help children with self-regulation so they feel at ease and open to learning.

Completed work includes demolition of the existing play structure and preparation of the site, with excavation for stormwater management to prevent flooding. The old mulch and sand playground surfaces were replaced with a poured rubber surface on top of a 4 inch sub-base, on top of eight inches of crushed stone designed to cushion the impact of a fall, providing a more sanitary and easier to maintain surface.

Features

🏀 The new playground was designed by a professional who is also the mother of a son with Autism.

⚽ The main slide and climbing structure will feature a transfer point for children using wheelchairs to access

⚾ It is topped with a sail cover to offer shade and protection from the elements

🏐 A pirouette standing spinner, a funnel-shapped ball toss, a xylophone and a communication board have been added to the area.

🥎 A crawl tube and series of sensory panels (Puppet Stage, Window Panel, Dinosaur Panel, Critter Puzzle Panel, and
Chime Panel), and a Bird Nest Swing were added to the infant/toddler area

🏈 The bike riding area will be repaved if final funds are secured

About The Learning Center at Northeast Arc

The Learning Center, located at 6 Southside Road in Danvers, supports children with Autism age 15 months to six years old. TLC offers Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in a community child-care setting with an integrated center model. It is a place where children of varying abilities develop important social, emotional, and developmental skills.  By providing this early, intensive support, children are more prepared for the transition to school. Enrollment is funded through health insurance, with about half of the children covered by MassHealth.

Thank you to the following individuals,
corporations, and foundations that have
made a gift to the Learning Center Playground

$50,000+

Boston Bruins Foundation
Ted English
Knights of Columbus, Massachusetts State Council
Rock the Spectrum Foundation

$10,000 – $49,999

The Charles E Harwood Trust
Edith M. Burbeck Trust
Howard C. Connor Foundation
Italian Community Center of Beverly
JB Thomas-Lahey Foundation
PLAN of MA & RI
Roessner Family Foundation

$1,000 – $9,999

Carol Conway
Danvers Kiwanis Foundation, in Honor of Barbara Remon
Allison Dolan
Don and Rosemary Fournier
Franklin Sports
Pia and Matthew Freeley
McCarthy Family Foundation
Peabody Knights of Columbus, Leo Council No. 508

$999 and under

Pauline Butler
Kathy Consigli
Josephine DiMarzo
Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism, Inc.
Joanne & Kevin Freeley
Tom and Sharon Gould
Marilyn E. Hazel
Mary Kaminski
Chris Kaminski
Rep Sally Kerans
Sandra Lane
Nate J. Lincoff
Committee to Elect Joan Lovely
Alan Mallas
Laurie Mallas
Kathryn Mallas
Nelson Medrano
Felice O’Brien
Susan Ring Brown
John & Liz Sacramone
Ted and June Speliotis
Ashley Speliotis
James Speliotis
Konstantina Speridakos
Thomas P. Walsh
Wendy Waxman
Marissa Zolotas