Avie's Place Editor’s note: It has often been said “Necessity is the mother of invention.” Roughly, it means that the primary driving force for most new inventions is a need. And what more important person to solve the need with creative efforts to meet the need or solve the problem then a mother! We would like to introduce one such mother, Nicole Wallace from Oroville. Here, in her words, is not only the need but also the help needed to ensure the solution.
grueling three-year battle with AML (Acute Myeloid Leukemia). Her strength inspired our family and entire community to build Avie’s Place. Throughout her illness and treatment, she experienced physical limitations that prevented her from playing with her siblings and participating in family activities she had once enjoyed. These constraints became a challenge for us as we tried to create fun family memories in the midst of this difficult season.
To the North Valley Community,
We quickly discovered there were not any parks in the 22-county region north of Sacramento that had been purposebuilt for use by children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This represents 42,000 square miles and 1.7 million people, including Avie. Due to her illness and resulting limitations, Avie was no longer able to play in a park or on a playground with her 2 sisters.
I want to bring your attention to a project that is very dear to my heart! My husband and I are creating/designing/ building an ALL-inclusive playground experience that will provide recreational and active-living opportunities available to every child in our region, including those with intellectual or developmental disabilities. The park and playground will be called Avie’s Place and will be a playground where all children can play together regardless of ability, limitations, or sickness. Avie's Place is being built in memory of our 7 year old daughter Avalynn, “Avie” Wallace. Avie was called to heaven in October 2019, at the age of seven, following a 54
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To honor Avie’s legacy, we are committed to solving this problem by building a park and playground accessible to everyone. Our team believes every child deserves to experience the thrill of a slide, the joy of swinging, and playing with family and friends. Our family selected Melton Design Group as the architectural firm and Miracle Play Systems to spearhead
