Fondazione De Rigo H.E.ART Onlus finances the inclusive "neverland" playground

Longarone, 23 July 2024 – Fondazione De Rigo H.E.ART Onlus, which has always been committed to supporting young people in exercising their inviolable rights to health and education, proudly announces its commitment to creating the largest inclusive theme playground in Europe. The park will be located in the City Park of Bologna of the Municipality of Belluno and will cover an area of 660 square metres, with the capacity to accommodate over 130 children at the same time. The project, promoted by the Belluno Fire Brigade Recreational Club, will be inaugurated in October 2024.

The concept of the project

The Peter Pan theme park in Belluno is an ambitious initiative that aims to create an inclusive and immersive playground, inspired by the famous story by J.M. Barrie. The concept is based on creating an environment that recreates the atmosphere and iconic places of the Peter Pan fairy tale. Children will have the opportunity to explore and play in different subject areas:

• the Jolly Roger, a reproduction of the famous pirate galleon, where children can imagine they are sailing the seven seas or facing Captain Hook;
• the Mermaid Lagoon: a dedicated area that evokes the magical lagoon, a meeting place for the mermaids through the ages.
• Skull Rock: a scenic element reminiscent of the mysterious and adventurous island of Neverland.
• The Indian Field: a space that recreates the environment in which Peter Pan's Indian allies live, offering an additional dimension of play and discovery.
• The Hangman's Tree: a space conceived as a fantastic refuge, a place where children's imagination comes to life.

Characteristics of the Park

The Peter Pan theme park in Belluno is a place designed to be accessible to children with all types of disabilities (physical, cognitive, sensory), where all children can play and interact together. This inclusive approach is reflected in the choice of equipment and the design of the spaces, which are characterised by:

• INCLUSIVITY: The playground is designed to be accessible to all children, allowing them to play together without barriers

• SAFETY: Safety is a priority, with anti-trauma poured-in-place rubber flooring ensuring a safe and functional play environment
• EDUCATION AND IMAGINATION: in addition to fun, the playground encourages education through play and imagination, allowing children to learn and grow in a stimulating environment.
• URBAN REDEVELOPMENT: the project will contribute to the redevelopment of an area of the city park, making it a point of attraction for the community and for visitors from elsewhere.

"We imagine a place where every child, regardless of their physical or cognitive abilities, can enjoy their childhood to the full during play," says Barbara De Rigo, President of Fondazione De Rigo H.E.ART Onlus. "An inclusive park is not just a leisure space, but a symbol of community and its values. For us, sustaining its realisation means investing in a more equitable and supportive future for every child and making a concrete commitment to improve the lives of young people and their families".

Support for the inclusive Peter Pan theme park is just one of the many projects promoted by Fondazione De Rigo H.E.ART Onlus to promote the growth and development of young people, in line with the values of solidarity and social commitment that have always distinguished it. An initiative that can improve the quality of life of the young people of Belluno, becoming a model for inclusion and collective well-being in other cities and communities.