By Michael V. Cusenza
Hundreds of South Queens residents on a gloomy, overcast Saturday afternoon gathered at Phil “Scooter” Rizzuto Park/Smokey Oval Park in Richmond Hill for the 2nd Annual Autism and Developmental Disability Walk and Resource Fair.
Forum Photo by Michael V. Cusenza
Saturday’s event at Phil “Scooter” Rizzuto Park/Smokey Oval Park in Richmond Hill sought to raise awareness of autism and other developmental disabilities.
Hosted by Community Board 9 and State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Woodhaven), the event seeks to raise awareness of developmental disabilities that impact many borough lives. Participants walked around the perimeter of the park four times. Sponsors set up tents and tables on the field and blacktop.
“It brings the community together,” Addabbo told The Forum. “The number of families experiencing developmental disabilities is growing—how do we help these individuals going forward?”
Forum Photo by Michael V. Cusenza
“How do we help these individuals going forward?” Sen. Addabbo asked on Saturday.
In addition to raising awareness via events such as Saturday’s fair, Addabbo said that sensory-friendly environments are also part of the support system for borough residents with autism and other developmental disabilities. Addabbo noted that bringing a sensory park to the Richmond Hill green space has been included in the Fiscal Year 2025 Enacted State Budget. The senator secured $900,000 for the sensory park, an idea that Addabbo said was posited to him last year by a family member of person with autism.
Forum Photo by Michael V. Cusenza
The walk and resource fair was hosted by Addabbo and Community Board 9.
Inclusive playgrounds are all over the city. According to New York Family, these spots have sensory and adaptable features that allow kids extra support. Queens hosts four such spaces: Dutch Kills Playground (36th Avenue and Crescent Street); Flushing Meadows Corona Park: Playground for All Children (111-01 Corona Ave.); Jurassic Playground (Meadow Lake Drive and Meadow Lake Trail, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Forest Hills); Laurelton Playground (136-20 Brookville Blvd.)
Forum Photo by Michael V. Cusenza
Trinidadian and Tobagonian USA Group, one of the event’s participating organizations, handed out water at the park.
Forum Photo by Michael V. Cusenza
Participants walked around the perimeter of the Richmond Hill park four times.
