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State Representative Jerry Newton
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-5369
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
Column/LTE
A SAFE PLACE FOR ALL KIDS TO PLAY
To the Editor:
One in 81 children born in Minnesota is diagnosed with autism – that’s twice the national rate. Roughly 800 autistic children are enrolled in District #11 classrooms. That doesn’t include newborns, those not yet in school who haven’t been diagnosed, or the many autistic kids in our community who are home-schooled.
Often caring for an autistic child can be very stressful. Parents are in constant worry that their vulnerable children could wander off. It is a parent’s worst fear – a fear that makes the choice of bringing an autistic child to a local park sometimes difficult.
All kids should have a safe place to play. And every parent should enjoy some peace of mind when they bring their child to the park. Currently District #11 permits parents with autistic children to use the enclosed playground at the Bell Center on Northdale Boulevard after school hours. However, the Bell Center will be closed at the end of this school year.
That’s why I encouraged the Coon Rapids City Council to join with District #11 in converting the Bell Center play area into a safe park for children with autism and other disabilities. This particular park has a safe fence around it to prevent children from wandering away. It is a common sense way to give all children in our community a safe place to play.
I have spoken with many parents of autistic children in our community who support this idea – parents who can’t comprehend why the city wouldn’t blink an eye to build a dog park, but still hesitate to give vulnerable children a safe playground to call their own.
If you support this proposal, I encourage you to contact your city council member by calling City Hall at (763) 755-2880, or contact me directly with any questions.
Jerry Newton
State Representative
District 49B
(651) 296-5369
rep.jerry.newton@house.mn
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- REP. NEWTON STANDS UP FOR SCHOOLS - (Posted: 2010-05-12 00:00:00)
- A SAFE PLACE FOR ALL KIDS TO PLAY - (Posted: 2010-04-21 00:00:00)
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