The time is now: building Avie’s Place, the ADA dreamland coming to Oroville

Avie's Place

Editor’s note: It has often been said - “Necessity is the mother of invention.” Roughly, it means that the primary driving force for most new inventions is a need. And what more important person to solve the need with creative efforts to meet the need or solve the problem then a mother! We would like to introduce one such mother, Nicole Wallace from Oroville. Here, in her words, is not only the need but also the help needed to ensure the solution.

To the North Valley Community,

I want to bring your attention to a project that is very dear to my heart! My husband and I are creating/designing/ building an ALL-inclusive playground experience that will provide recreational and active-living opportunities available to every child in our region, including those with intellectual or developmental disabilities. The park and playground will be called Avie’s Place and will be a playground where all children can play together regardless of ability, limitations, or sickness. Avie's Place is being built in memory of our 7 year old daughter Avalynn, “Avie” Wallace. grueling three-year battle with AML (Acute Myeloid Leukemia). Her strength inspired our family and entire community to build Avie’s Place. Throughout her illness and treatment, she experienced physical limitations that prevented her from playing with her siblings and participating in family activities she had once enjoyed. These constraints became a challenge for us as we tried to create fun family memories in the midst of this difficult season.

We quickly discovered there were not any parks in the 22-county region north of Sacramento that had been purposebuilt for use by children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This represents 42,000 square miles and 1.7 million people, including Avie. Due to her illness and resulting limitations, Avie was no longer able to play in a park or on a playground with her 2 sisters.

To honor Avie’s legacy, we are committed to solving this problem by building a park and playground accessible to everyone. Our team believes every child deserves to experience the thrill of a slide, the joy of swinging, and playing with family and friends. Our family selected Melton Design Group as the architectural firm and Miracle Play Systems to spearhead

the design and development of the project. The 3-acre site will sit on a 91-acre plot located on the Oro Bangor Highway in Oroville, California. The playground will be Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) certified and feature a range of playground equipment and play structures that promote spinning, sliding, rocking, and sensory engagement for children of all abilities and ages.

Avie’s Place is scheduled to open April 2022, and if we reach our target, Avie’s Place will be the only playground in the United States with a play structure accessible on multiple levels to children in wheelchairs. This incredible feature will honor the life of Avie, who was an inspiration to both children and adults.

Once completed, the project will:

• Deliver ongoing recreation, fitness, and active-living opportunities to all children (as well as seniors, veterans, and other adults with restricted mobility). • Raise the quality of life in our community. • Act as a symbol of what can be accomplished through a communityfocused partnership.

We estimate it will cost $3,000,000 to realize the vision for Avie’s Place. To date:

• We have raised more than $150,000 from crowdfunding campaigns and donations. • The three acres for the playground site has been donated. • We recently launched a targeted fundraising campaign to source contributions from individuals, businesses, and foundation donors across our region.

We relish the opportunity to bring the spotlight to this cause and this often overlooked group in need of support. Feel free to contact us if you have questions or if we can provide additional information for you. Also feel free to let us know if you wish to help or have ideas to assist in making our dream a reality.

Sincerely, Nicole Wallace, my husband Louie, and Avie’s Place Team