Bennett's Village

Bennett's Village volunteers and mosaic artist Ninni Baeckstrom of Serpentine Studio Art have been hard at work designing and creating the sensory wall panels for the treehouse. Each panel will include a few hidden treasures: seashells and a fossil or two.  Thank you to those who have donated their time, talent and treasure to make this beautiful project! [Image description: Four frames are within the square. Top left square a photo of the sensory panel being created. Top right square is yellow with the Bennett's Village logo. Bottom left is a blue square with Thank You! in white letters. Bottom right is the finished mosaic panel featuring the sun, sky, and mountain sides.] #BennettsVillage #APlaceForAllToPlay #Play4All #ItTakesAVillage #InclusivePlayground #InclusivePlay #InclusivePlaySpace #PlayIsLearning #DesignForAll #BuildCommunity #PlaygroundFun #Accessibility #InclusionMatters #Inclusion #AllAbilities #LoweringBarriersToPlay #Charlottesville #CharlottesvilleVA #CvilleVA #BennettsVillagePlaySpace #AccessiblePlaySpaces #AllAbilitiesWelcome #ILoveCville #AlbemarleCounty

Our friendly rock snake is growing! Bennett's Village is excited to make this project a permanent home at our new all-ability, multigenerational play space! Our snake is only missing one thing: a name! We have had some amazing ideas given, and now it's time to vote for your favorite! Click the following link to choose the one you love best: https://shorturl.at/qO69y [Image description: A green background has grass and leaves across the bottom in all different heights. Centered in a white rectangle frame is a photo of the rock snake. It curves back in the photo and the rocks are lots of colors and patterns. In the upper left corner in yellow, blue, and green is a burst saying Vote.] #BennettsVillage #APlaceForAllToPlay #Play4All #ItTakesAVillage #InclusivePlayground #InclusivePlay #InclusivePlaySpace #PlayIsLearning #DesignForAll #BuildCommunity #PlaygroundFun #Accessibility #InclusionMatters #Inclusion #AllAbilities #LoweringBarriersToPlay #Charlottesville #CharlottesvilleVA #CvilleVA #BennettsVillagePlaySpace #AccessiblePlaySpaces #AllAbilitiesWelcome #ILoveCville #AlbemarleCounty

Thank you to the amazing young people who formed the community group "Roots" to focus on service projects and fundraising each month! We are honored they have selected Bennett's Village for this amazing event tomorrow. Mark your calendars and don't miss out on the fun! [Image description: A darkened photo of the treehouse is in the background with the flyer for the event centered. The flyer highlights are Roots Fall Fundraiser for Bennett's Village, October 12th, 1-4pm, at Riverview Park. Slime, bookmarks, crafts, and more!] #BennettsVillage #APlaceForAllToPlay #Play4All #ItTakesAVillage #InclusivePlayground #InclusivePlay #InclusivePlaySpace #PlayIsLearning #DesignForAll #BuildCommunity #PlaygroundFun #Accessibility #InclusionMatters #Inclusion #AllAbilities #LoweringBarriersToPlay #Charlottesville #CharlottesvilleVA #CvilleVA #BennettsVillagePlaySpace #AccessiblePlaySpaces #AllAbilitiesWelcome #ILoveCville #AlbemarleCounty

Our October recommendation is Included: A book for all children about inclusion, diversity, disability, equality and empathy by Jayneen Sanders. This book introduces the reader to six wonderful kids: Sam, Rishi, Jay, Audrey, Ty and Zara. The aim of this story is to ensure all kids understand that kids with disability are just like kids everywhere. They love playing games, books, making stuff and being silly. They have things they are good at and things they need to work on. And just like kids everywhere they want to feel safe, loved and included. This book provides the reader with ways they can be more inclusive in their play and encourages the celebration of diversity in all its unique and wonderful forms. Children will come away with a growing understanding that people everywhere have differing abilities, and this only makes the world a more colorful, exciting, diverse and amazing place. [Image description: Book cover for "Included: A book for all children about inclusion, diversity, disability, equality and empathy" is a light-yellow background illustrated with drawings of a variety of children of different abilities represented.] #BennettsVillage #APlaceForAllToPlay #Play4All #ItTakesAVillage #InclusivePlayground #InclusivePlay #InclusivePlaySpace #PlayIsLearning #DesignForAll #BuildCommunity #PlaygroundFun #Accessibility #InclusionMatters #Inclusion #AllAbilities #LoweringBarriersToPlay #Charlottesville #CharlottesvilleVA #CvilleVA #BennettsVillagePlaySpace #AccessiblePlaySpaces #AllAbilitiesWelcome #ILoveCville #AlbemarleCounty

Do you or someone you know need a ride to the voting polls? We are excited to announce that wheelchair accessible van rides are available to polling locations throughout Charlottesville and Albemarle County! Need a ride? Call or text Kate at 415-601-3076. Need a ride from the wheelchair accessible van? Call or text Gail at 434-218-3750. You will need to provide your name, but please note these rides are free and non-partisan! [Image description: A dark blue background with hands raised very faint in the background. In white letters with a red background at the top are the words "Celebrating our inclusive community" with "Accessible voting for everyone!" in red letter outlined in white just above the center. White clouds are under the words with an outline of a person holding a letter headed to a voting box.] #BennettsVillage #APlaceForAllToPlay #Play4All #ItTakesAVillage #InclusivePlayground #InclusivePlay #InclusivePlaySpace #PlayIsLearning #DesignForAll #BuildCommunity #PlaygroundFun #Accessibility #InclusionMatters #Inclusion #AllAbilities #LoweringBarriersToPlay #Charlottesville #CharlottesvilleVA #CvilleVA #BennettsVillagePlaySpace #AccessiblePlaySpaces #AllAbilitiesWelcome #ILoveCville #AlbemarleCounty

The Rivanna Master Naturalists are hosting an amazing event to make nature accessible and safe for all, regardless of mobility, hearing, seeing, or any other challenges! Join them for a birding walk on Saturday, October 19th, at 9am at Riverview Park. They have expert birders from the Piedmont Virginia Bird Club to help even the most inexperienced and will even provide binoculars and help you learn how to use them! They will move at a speed designed to accommodate any pace, and the park is flat enough for wheelchairs. There is accessible parking and porta potties. Along the trail you will find many benches if you need to rest. Please send questions or comments to rmnnature4all@gmail.com. Be on the lookout for future events too! [Image description: A variety of birds are flying against a blue-sky background with greenery underneath them. In the upper center in yellow letters are the words "Nature for all!" the date, time and place are underneath the headline.] #BennettsVillage #APlaceForAllToPlay #Play4All #ItTakesAVillage #InclusivePlayground #InclusivePlay #InclusivePlaySpace #PlayIsLearning #DesignForAll #BuildCommunity #PlaygroundFun #Accessibility #InclusionMatters #Inclusion #AllAbilities #LoweringBarriersToPlay #Charlottesville #CharlottesvilleVA #CvilleVA #BennettsVillagePlaySpace #AccessiblePlaySpaces #AllAbilitiesWelcome #ILoveCville #AlbemarleCounty

Our community is amazing, and the team at @millcreekortho is a great example of why! We are so excited they were able to check out the construction of the Bennett's Village treehouse before it opens. Even the rain couldn't dampen their spirits! Stay tuned for information on the official opening of the treehouse! If you or your company are interested in being involved in creating a place for all to play, you can learn more by clicking the following link: https://lnkd.in/gpb6g6Tq [Image description: A background of yellow has blue, curved designs in the upper left and lower right corners. These have white dots in them. In the center of a page is a photo of 4 team members at Mill Creek Orthodontics sitting in the front facing, four windows of the Bennett's Village treehouse. In the top right is a quote from Dr. Markus Niepraschk in red font stating: "Together we can help make Charlottesville a more inclusive and joyful place for everyone."] #BennettsVillage #APlaceForAllToPlay #Play4All #ItTakesAVillage #InclusivePlayground #InclusivePlay #InclusivePlaySpace #PlayIsLearning #DesignForAll #BuildCommunity #PlaygroundFun #Accessibility #InclusionMatters #Inclusion #AllAbilities #LoweringBarriersToPlay #Charlottesville #CharlottesvilleVA #CvilleVA #BennettsVillagePlaySpace #AccessiblePlaySpaces #AllAbilitiesWelcome #ILoveCville #AlbemarleCounty

Bennett's Village loves highlighting all the ways play can be inclusive, and many community members have heard us talk about slides! Our friends at @theablefables had a recent feature about the roller slides, and it's perfect to share! Take a moment to read their post and make sure you follow them on social media! The roller slide is extra wide, designed for multiple users to slide side-by-side. This feature allows a disabled or non-disabled user to slide together with a peer, parent, or caregiver. Cochlear Implant Safe: Metal slides do not generate static electricity, ensuring they won’t interfere with cochlear implants. Delivers a one-of-a-kind sensory experience providing proprioceptive, tactile, vestibular and auditory input. Extra friction means more control, but don’t worry—it’s still a blast 🚀💥 - and my 3 year old’s ABSOLUTE favorite! Learned something new? Have something to add? Share your thoughts below or share this post to spread the word: Inclusive play is the way! Fun fact: 20% of profits from everything in my store (theablefables.com) is donated to build inclusive playgrounds across the USA! Rollerslide by: @playlsi Image: @playlsi [Image description: A teal blue background has a grey and blue design with the words "Why an inclusive play space?" in white letters curved at the top. The Able Fables Book Co. logo is in the bottom right corner. There are 5 panels each featuring a photo from The Able Fables post about roller slides with the information featured in the post. The roller slide in the photos is lime green sides with grey rollers. A young child with a hat, sweatshirt, and jeans is sliding down.] #BennettsVillage #APlaceForAllToPlay #Play4All #ItTakesAVillage #InclusivePlayground #InclusivePlay #InclusivePlaySpace #PlayIsLearning #DesignForAll #BuildCommunity #PlaygroundFun #Accessibility #InclusionMatters #Inclusion #AllAbilities #LoweringBarriersToPlay #Charlottesville #CharlottesvilleVA #CvilleVA #BennettsVillagePlaySpace #AccessiblePlaySpaces #AllAbilitiesWelcome #ILoveCville #AlbemarleCounty

Bennett's Village would like to extend a thank you to @cbs19news for their recent coverage of the major construction updates to the fully inclusive and accessible treehouse! Our community working together has helped us make this dream a reality. We hope you will watch the entire story by clicking the following link: https://lnkd.in/gegnkekY [Image description: A photo of the treehouse nearing completion is displayed on film paper. The CBS19 logo is in the bottom right corner. The words "Thank you!" are in white across the top of the treehouse in the photo.] #BennettsVillage #APlaceForAllToPlay #Play4All #ItTakesAVillage #InclusivePlayground #InclusivePlay #InclusivePlaySpace #PlayIsLearning #DesignForAll #BuildCommunity #PlaygroundFun #Accessibility #InclusionMatters #Inclusion #AllAbilities #LoweringBarriersToPlay #Charlottesville #CharlottesvilleVA #CvilleVA #BennettsVillagePlaySpace #AccessiblePlaySpaces #AllAbilitiesWelcome #ILoveCville #AlbemarleCounty

Bennett's Village is excited to share information about VIA's free screening of the documentary, In a Different Key, at the Paramount on Oct. 1st. The goal is to pull together community partners, donors, VIA families, researchers, school district partners, educators, etc. to start conversations about how we can work to make Charlottesville a more inclusive place to live. We hope you can join us! Please RSVP using the following link, https://lnkd.in/eg3E5a4q [Image description: On a blue background there is a film reel from the bottom left to the upper right corner. Over that is an image of the Paramount Theater with details about the VIA event. Above the image in yellow letters are the words "Celebrating Our Inclusive Community".] #BennettsVillage #APlaceForAllToPlay #Play4All #ItTakesAVillage #InclusivePlayground #InclusivePlay #InclusivePlaySpace #PlayIsLearning #DesignForAll #BuildCommunity #PlaygroundFun #Accessibility #InclusionMatters #Inclusion #AllAbilities #LoweringBarriersToPlay #Charlottesville #CharlottesvilleVA #CvilleVA #BennettsVillagePlaySpace #AccessiblePlaySpaces #AllAbilitiesWelcome #ILoveCville #AlbemarleCounty