MADISON CLAIRE FOUNDATION

Do you remember your childhood playground?

It has been said that the playground is a training ground – in addition to burning off energy, connecting with the outdoors, and plain old good fun, kids learn life skills like conflict resolution, how to take turns, interdependence and how to meet challenges. Childhood development experts agree that, to a child, play is hard work.

To families with children with a disability it can be intimidating and even impossible. Nearly 14 percent of American children have one or more special needs ranging from autism to cerebral palsy.

Give the gift of play

Your donation to the Madison Claire Foundation will help us to build Madison’s Place - the East Metro’s first “inclusive playground” - a completely handicapped accessible playground where children with and without disabilities can play together side by side, fostering friendships, understanding and acceptance.

We need you to help us raise the remaining funds needed to complete the full installation of the playground and elements to maximize the design of the playground.

We still have a matching grant of $10,000 that will allow you to double your efforts!

Help make Madison’s Place a play destination for families to enjoy what many of us take for granted – a day at the park!

About Madison’s Place

The City of Woodbury has committed the land for the project at the Bielenberg Sports Center, the Rehabilitation Services team at the University of MN Amplatz Children's Hospital has committed their expertise in designing and developing the playground and the Air National Guard CE squadron is also anticipating committing resources to installation of the playground (300 men and women in service over six weeks beginning summer of 2012).

Unique features of Madison’s Place:

• play structures that will include ramps so every child and their parents will be able to reach the highest play deck
• brightly colored rubberized tile flooring which will provide an accessible foundation for the playground - swings, accessible swings and ground level play components that can be accessed by all children and parents
• activity panels and music drum surround to provide cognitive and sensory development a metal slide for persons with cochlear implants or hearing aids which prevents feedback and static created in traditional plastic slides to accommodate hearing impaired children and caretakers.

About the Madison Claire Foundation

Madison Claire Foundation was created in the memory of Madison Claire Millington. Madison was born on May 16, 2002 and passed away in her mommy's arms on August 17, 2004 due to complications from Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).

We continue to honor Madison with her foundation, dedicated to enhancing the lives of children and families living with physical and developmental disabilities by giving them the opportunity to play alongside all others through the building of universal accessible playgrounds.