A VERY special friendship has been established between Greater Taree City Council and national charity, Touched by Olivia.
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The two groups are working together to build the first inclusive play-space in Taree and they want to hear from you about what makes you play.
Livvi's Place Taree is part of a national network of inclusive play-spaces and the preferred site is centrally located in Fotheringham Park, where there is ample riverside parking, public transport, food nearby, a foreshore walk and lots of other things to do.
Touched by Olivia has already created 16 inclusive play-spaces across Australia and have a mission to make sure every child is included in every community.
A 'Livvi's Place' in Taree will be a place for families with children of all ages, stages and abilities to meet, socialise, connect with their community and make new friendships in a safe and play-filled environment.
To fund the play-space, council has allocated $150,000 and will look to secure additional grant funding and volunteers from Touched by Olivia will work with our local community to fundraise additional money towards the project.
Council's executive leader corporate support, Laura Black is very much looking forward to this partnership with Touched by Olivia and our local community.
"Children with disabilities and their families are often sidelined in a typical play environment and this play-space will be designed by the community and Touched by Olivia to ensure that no one is left out in Taree," Laura said.
Touched by Olivia will be coming to town to design Livvi's Place with local children on Thursday March 24. Residents are also encouraged to come along to a community meeting from 4-5.30pm in the council administration building on March 24 and tell council staff and Touched by Olivia volunteers what they need to make their experience fun, accessible and inclusive.
If you're interested in coming along, email: tareecouncil@gtcc.nsw.gov.au and in the meantime you can start brainstorming by jumping on the Livvi's Place Taree Facebook page and starting a conversation:www.facebook.com/groups/livvisplacetaree. If you are unable to attend the meeting, please provide your input in a survey: www.surveymonkey.com/r/livvisplacetaree by Tuesday April 19.
