LET JOY ENTER
FINDING JOYFUL OPPORTUNITIES WITH YOUR FAMILY
by Cindy Balsam Martz
Cindy will be adding more information to this list, so check back often
Having a special needs child with intense needs, many children also having a painful combination of chronic medical and complex developmental challenges, it’s hard to believe being surrounded by doctors and therapists on an ongoing basis, that there is ever time for just joy. My promise from me to you there is a place, many places, there is a time, many times, and many opportunities for joy.
During this journey with your entire family, finding connection and joy with your child inclusive of your entire family is the best therapy you can do for your child and your family.
This manual (which will be routinely updated) includes playground locations that are fully inclusive, wheelchair accessible and fun, and other modalities that offer outlets for you to connect with your child, and bring all your children to a safe place, where “there is something for everyone” – something to do for all your children. Activities in these location are also therapeutically extremely helpful, while just being a parent to a child, to experience joy with your family.
New Jersey Joyful Places
“New” Overpeck County Park – Ridgefield Park Area–located on 199 Ridgefield Park, NJ, off of Teaneck Road, close to NYC and close to Teaneck.
• Handicap fully supportive swings–full body positioning support swings
• Ramps that run through a beautiful playground structure for wheelchair accessibility with rubber flooring and
State of the art playground equipment –something for every child–for children with the most challenges to the most agile child. Excellent rubber flooring throughout playground. Wonderful playground–there is something to do for everyone.
• Unique climbing structure for agile children
• Beautiful walking paths and bicycle paths
• State of the art Tennis Courts (6 courts)
• Soccer Fields with artificial turf that is bumpy and comfortable–fun to roll around on, in addition to playing sports
• New softball field and beautiful baseball field
• Observation deck, beautiful nature
• 40 acre open field
• Three bathroom locations
• Cost: FREE
• Parking: Easy–plenty of handicap accessible parking, plenty of parking all over for everyone
• Recommendation: Bring your entire family and whoever else would enjoy and be helpful. Although concession stands exist, no kosher food (yet), bring lunch, bring a blanket, bring a soccer ball, wear sneakers, enjoy the
playground and all the sports, and plan to stay a while.
• Excellent"playground! "Must"Come!"
Votee Park, Teaneck NJ–Park covers the entire area between Queen Anne Road and Palisade Avenue from Colonial Court to Court Street
• Playground of interest with in Votee: Inclusive Playground on the side of Court Street– includes supportive swings–full body positioning support swings, a ramp that runs through playground structure for wheelchair accessibility. Wonderful rubber flooring throughout playground.
Playground structure is fenced in. Wonderful playground. Something for everyone.
• Excellent playground. Must come!
• Although Votee has Tennis Courts and Hockey courts, due to a township concern, the soccer fields have been closed off, but the playground is readily available and open for use.
• Cost: Free
• Recommendation: Either bring lunch with you, tables are available for picnics within “inclusive
playground” area, or you can purchase lunch near the many nearby glatt kosher restaurants on West Englewood Avenue in Teaneck, whether you are in the mood for pizza, sushi or hotdogs,
There are plenty of restaurants available. Parking is available on street or parking lot nearby.
All parking is free.
Van Saun County Park, Paramus, NJ, close to NYC, close to Teaneck
• This park is an “oldee, but goodie”
• 146 acre park located in Paramus NJ
• Playground structures that have a ramp that runs through for handicap and wheelchair accessibility
• Wonderful zoo (Bergen County Zoological Park), historic Spring Garden, and train for children, carousel, pony rides, and picnic and fishing area
• Beautiful walking paths and bike paths, picnic areas.
• Recommendations: Bring your own food and lunch.
• Comments: Playground structure is very nice, not as updated as other playgrounds and does not have as many playground options as the other NJ wheelchair accessible playgrounds noted in this manual. But it is still a very nice place for all children to enjoy, and the overall experience of the zoo and the train, along with merry go round make it a worth while experience.
• Cost: Zoo fee ranges from $4 for Bergen County residents, $8 for non residents, Children are $2 for Bergen County residents, and $5 for non residents, Children under 3 years old go free. Seniors pay $1 if a Bergen County resident, or $2 for a non resident. Charge for merry go round per child (approximately $3), entrance to train is dependant on day of the week and season, but costs per child is very, reasonable to gain access to zoo or train. (Although tennis courts and baseball field are available, a permit is required. To access a permit call 201-336-7261). Zoo is open from 10 am-4:30 pm. Admission is charged from May through October. (During winter months, there is no charge to go to zoo).
• Playground usage is free. Parking is free.
• Fun destination! Worth your while!
NYC Joyful Places
“Playground 70” – located between West End Avenue and Amsterdam Avenue
• Fully accessible play space which includes accessible swings and a children’s garden
• Musical instruments are built into the play space
• Basketball courts
• Adjustable basketball backdrops that can be lowered for individuals in wheelchairs
• Camel Structure Climb
• Spray Shower with a map of the United States
• Cost to enter park: FREE
• Parking–because it’s Manhattan, finding a free parking spot may be difficult if you don’t live in the area. May be a nice park to go to if visiting Manhattan for a doctor appointment, or for other reasons.
Robert Bendheim Playground
• Located in NYC on 100th street and 5th Avenue
• Features accessible ramps for wheelchair access and swings
• Tunnel Slides, and a sandbox with raised sand tables for wheelchairs
• During the summer, there is a water feature
• Cost: Free
• Parking: Free Parking on the street is always challenging in Manhattan.
May be a great destination to visit before or after a doctor appointment or visiting Manhattan for other reasons.
Staten Island Joyful Places
Bloomingale Park, Richmond Parkway, Bloomingdale
Road, Lenevar Avenue in Staten Island
Although the playground DOES NOT have accessible swings, it does have a “sway fun” which is a wheelchair accessible glider which can be fun.
Bloomingdale Park is nestled on a 139 acre property with beautiful nature trails.
Staten Island plans to update their handicap facilities to include accessible swings in the future.
Cost: Free
Bronx,NY Joyful Places
Pelham Bay Park, Bruckner Expy, Buhre Avenue, Bronx NY –
Playground for all children
• Within the 3000 acres of Pelham Park, lies a playground for all children
• Swings for children with all abilities and disabilities
• Colorful equipment
• Musical walkway, and xylophone on ground level
• Sprinkler system and many shaded areas
• Cost: Free
Other Joyful Venues
• A chance to see a broadway show TOGETHER as a family unit
• Mary Poppins–Sensory Free shows provided by the Autism Theatre Initiative
• Accommodations will be made for this special performance, including a supportive audience environment, designated quiet areas, adjustments to light and sounds, online resource material
• Theatre Development Fund (TDF) is delighted to offer an autism friendly performance of Disney and Cameron Mackintosh's MARY POPPINS on Sunday, April 29, 2012 at 1:00pm.
• Cost: Orchestra seats: $79; Front Mezzanine: $76; Mid Mezzanine:
$55.50; Rear Mezzanine: $38
• AMC Sensory Friendly Films! A chance to see a movie TOGETHER as a
Family in a MOVIE THEATRE!
• AMC movie theatres, in partnership with the Autism Society, presents
films and special timing and presentations that are accommodating to the special needs community.
• Below are the cinemas in the NYC/NJ area that provide these special presentations within AMC movie theatres:
• 84th street, Bay Plaza, Bay Terrace, Clifton Commons, Danbury, Freehold Metroplex, Galleria Metroplex, Jersey Gardens, Nassau Metroplex, New
Brunswick, Palisade Center, Rockaway, Shore, Stony Brook and Wayne
• Please see link below for upcoming films:
• http://www.autismsociety.org/getinvolved/events/sensoryfriendlyfilms/
Other Helpful venues
In the midst of our joyful outing, just wanted to leave you as per recommendation from Tzivy Ross from Ohel, with some helpful venues to ensure you are able to experience the joy:
http://www.beineinu.org --- equipment exchange for medical equipment and a major source of information and much more! You may need a wheelchair to help your child get around, or need extra medical supplies—you may be able to receive it from a helping friend!
Autism Speaks – 100 day kit – available as a PDF file to this document as well. Many of the concepts described can be helpful for many children with special needs, in addition or separate from an autism diagnosis. Helpful document for the autistic community and beyond!
Pain Assessment scales, for the non verbal child: Abbey Pain Scale http://www.apsoc.org.au/owner/files/piracf4.pdf
Wong Baker Faces Pain Rating http://www.geriu.org/uploads/painDVD/AdditionalMaterials/WongBakerPainScale.pdf
NOPPAIN assessment
MAY YOU CONTINUE TO FIND HAPPY MOMENTS TO
LET JOY ENTER
The development of this manual was inspired by our four children: Eric, Noah, Elaine and Nettie
Special gratitude to our mothers, who never had the chance to meet our spouses, or meet their grandchildren,
May our mothers memory and legacy of mitzvot perpetuate and be honored:
Elaine Balsam a”h, and Nettie Martz a”h