Our Special Harbor Sprayground Opens in Fairfax County

FRANCONIA, Va. - The splashing water and squeals of joy would have delighted little Joey Pizzano. His parents, Paolo and Bob, say he loved life despite seizures and developmental disabilities.

"Joey was a bundle of energy. Lots of smiles. I liked to say he had the laugh of an old man because he had already lived life and knew what was important," says Paolo.

Joey was six years old when he drowned back in 1998 in an accident at the Vienna family's vacation home in Virginia's Northern Neck.

With donations from the community and a grant from the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities, they have created the Our Special Harbor sprayground at Lee District Park.

Three of the Pizzanos’ eight children have disabilities. The sprayground is fully accessible to all kids.

"We tried to make this whole place a great equalizer," says Bob.

The sprayground has a Chesapeake Bay theme. The boats have cutouts for wheelchairs to roll right in. For safety, there is no standing water and the park is free. The Pizzanos know that raising kids with disabilities brings added expenses.

"Whether one parent has to stay home to take care of the child or whether they have additional therapies and doctors appointments, it call can be draining on the pocketbook," says Paolo.

The sprayground itself cost a million dollars. For the Pizzanos, it's worth every dime and every moment invested.

"I think we see Joey's smile in the smile of every one of these kids around here,” says Bob.

Online:

jpmf.org/

www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/rec/lee/lee-spraypark.htm