Park geared for special needs children opens in Aurora

As a young boy with cerebral palsy, Thaddeus Weisner loved to be carried up the steps to the slide and then set free to be caught at the bottom by a waiting parent.

Thad died in January 2006 at the age of 21, four years before a handicap-accessible park would be named in his honor on Aurora's East Side.

Wednesday afternoon, the city dedicated the new Thaddeus James Weisner park, at the corner of Fourth and Flagg streets, to the young man who could not walk or talk, but could still make great friends with only his smile.

Mayor Tom Weisner and his wife, Marilyn, said their son would have enjoyed the park, which includes a ramp to assist wheelchair-bound children to the top of the slide.

"Thad truly, truly, would have loved this park," Tom Weisner said, wiping away tears. "This honor is very much appreciated. And even though it is dedicated in his name, Thad would want everyone to enjoy playing here."

Second Ward Alderman Juany Garza, whose ward committee funded the park, said she was inspired to build it several years ago after seeing children in wheelchairs at nearby Freedom Park.

"That park is accessible to them but it is hard for them to play with things in the park so they just sat there. It broke my heart," Garza said. "I said we need to make a place for them to play and be able to participate."

The specially designed park, which was approved by the city council almost a year ago, is made totally of recycled materials and features equipment that can be enjoyed by children of all ages who have special needs.

Thad's former high school teacher at Hope D. Wall School, Lynette Olexa, brought along several of his childhood friends and current special needs students to celebrate the occasion.

"We are so excited and thankful for (Garza's) foresight to make this park a reality," Olexa said. "God makes each of us exactly the way we are and expects each of us to make the world a better place during our time here. By building this park, you all have done just that."

As the Weisners cut the ribbon to open the park, all of the children and family friends in attendance released balloons.

"We're sending these up to Teddy," Garza said. "Teddy, I hope you like your park."