A Lack of Protective Fencing Leaves Families Alarmed
Families in Palm Bay are expressing their concerns over a newly renovated playground at Fred Poppe Park, which is located near an unfenced body of water. The new playground, which features special swings and sensory panels, meets accessibility standards, but its proximity to the water has raised eyebrows among parents. “I wouldn’t bring my children here,” said Kailyn Meek, a mother who has nonverbal autistic children. “Having the water so close to the playground, it’s extremely scary especially since it’s supposed to be an inclusive playground.” Meek and her family are among those who are avoiding the park due to the lack of protective fencing. “We just want to remedy this with a simple fence,” concluded Meek. Her sentiments are echoed by many other parents who have expressed their concerns about the playground’s safety.
Parents and Advocates Cite Data and Tragic Incidents
The urgency surrounding this issue is heightened by a recent tragedy in Osceola County, where an autistic child drowned after slipping through a break in a fenced special-needs playground. The incident has left families in Palm Bay feeling anxious about the safety of their children.
“I don’t want to see another headline saying autistic child found dead,”
said Tia Nichols, a mother whose child has autism. Nichols has been advocating for a fence to be installed around the park for years. According to the Autism Society of Florida, children with autism are 160 times more likely to die from drowning. This data has reinforced the concerns of parents and advocates, who argue that inclusive design must prioritize safety alongside accessibility.
The Need for a Perimeter Fence
Families raising children with autism or other special needs are sounding alarms that inclusive design must prioritize safety alongside accessibility. Without safeguards like fencing, parks intended to serve vulnerable communities can inadvertently become dangerous. A perimeter fence would provide a safe and secure environment for children with special needs to play and learn. It would also alleviate concerns among parents who are worried about their children’s safety.
The City’s Response
Despite repeated requests from parents, it remains unclear if or when the city of Palm Bay will install a fence to separate the playground from the nearby water. Officials have not provided a public timeline or response addressing the specific concerns raised by families, even though some parents began asking for a fence well before the park’s recent renovation. “It’s very common when we have these types of incidents that they’re found in bodies of water,” said Oscela County Sheriff, Marcos Lopez, in reference to a recent incident where a child with autism drowned at a special needs park in Osceola County. Families are now avoiding the park altogether, and some parents have expressed their willingness to take matters into their own hands and install a fence themselves. “As a parent with two autistic children, I avoid places with large bodies of water so seeing this is extremely scary especially since it’s supposed to be an inclusive playground,” said Schell.
A Call to Action
Families raising children with autism or other special needs are sounding the alarm that inclusive design must prioritize safety alongside accessibility. The city of Palm Bay must take action to address the concerns raised by families and install a perimeter fence to protect children with special needs. The Autism Society of Florida emphasizes that data backs up the concerns of parents. Children with autism are 160 times more likely to die from drowning. The city must not wait for another incident to occur before taking action.
- Parents are demanding a perimeter fence to protect children with special needs.
- The city must take action to address the concerns raised by families.
- A perimeter fence would provide a safe and secure environment for children to play and learn.
- Parents are willing to take matters into their own hands and install a fence themselves if the city does not take action.
| Organization | Position |
|---|---|
| Autism Society of Florida | Children with autism are 160 times more likely to die from drowning. |
| Osceola County Sheriff | It’s very common when we have these types of incidents that they’re found in bodies of water. |
The Importance of Inclusive Design
Inclusive design must prioritize safety alongside accessibility. Without safeguards like fencing, parks intended to serve vulnerable communities can inadvertently become dangerous. A perimeter fence would provide a safe and secure environment for children with special needs to play and learn. “It’s not just about making the park accessible; it’s about making it safe,” said Tia Nichols. The city of Palm Bay must take action to address the concerns raised by families and install a perimeter fence to protect children with special needs. “We just want to remedy this with a simple fence,” said Kailyn Meek. The city must not wait for another incident to occur before taking action. Stay connected with Fox 35 Orlando for updates on this story.
