A park accessible to all children
On 29 June, an inclusive playground was officially opened on the Marigot seafront by the President of the Collectivité, Louis Mussington, and the Second Vice-President, Bernadette Davis. A project led and funded by the Territorial Collectivity of Saint-Martin.
“We wanted to respond to a request made by some of the local residents,” explained Louis Mussington, referring to the difficulties faced by parents of children with disabilities. With three different play areas, Mahalia Viotty Park aims to be “family-friendly”,
“safe” and, above all, “accessible to all children, whatever their abilities”, explained Alizée Palpied, the local authority’s urban development operations manager.
The key concept behind this urban development has therefore been “inclusivity”. Built using materials resistant to the tropical climate, the park features a sensory play area, a roundabout and a playhouse. These facilities enable the youngest children to “develop their concentration, motor skills and imagination”, explains Alizée Palpied. Designed and completed in one year, the project represents an investment of €150,000 in public funds, covering the play equipment, earthworks, green spaces and a gazebo.
Honouring the memory of Mahalia Viotty
Named after Mahalia Viotty, this park pays tribute to a young woman from Saint-Martin. Born on 6 July 1989, Mahalia was a much-loved figure in the community. Diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder as a child, Mahalia was actively involved in the island’s community life. In particular, she had worked with the Tournesol association, which supports and assists people with disabilities. “Today’s opening is a tribute to her life’s journey, her resilience and her dream that everyone in Saint Martin should find their place,” says her mother, Maud Viotty. Mahalia, who passed away on 10 June 2023, is remembered as a smiling young woman who was deeply attached to her island. For her, “Inclusion was not just an ideal, but a responsibility,” explains her mother. This inclusive park will therefore enable future generations of Saint-Martinois to have fun together, in the same playground, regardless of their differences.
