Hi, my name is Erikka Kneeland, and I’m building Sensory Park, a Black family-owned, mission-led business that will be the first inclusive sensory play space of its kind in our community.

I worked with individuals on the autism spectrum at Hope Network and Network 180, but after being diagnosed with a brain disease called paroxysmal dyskinesia, I became disabled and could no longer work. Instead of letting it stop me, I let it fuel me. My condition gave me a deeper connection to kids with sensory needs because I know what it feels like to be misunderstood by your own body and the world around you.

Back in March, I pitched Sensory Park for a grant and lost. But I refused to give up because I knew families needed this. I pitched again, and this time, we won! Sensory Park received $15,000 to get started. Now I’m asking for your help to match the grant and bring this dream to life.

At Sensory Park, we embrace FIDGET - Faith, Inclusion, Development, Guidance, Empowerment, and Togetherness. We’re creating a whimsical Puzzle Land–meets–Candy Land atmosphere with a gross motor play area, a quiet sensory room, a parent lounge, and a snack corner. But it’s more than a playground; it’s a village. A place where kids’ fidgeting and stimming aren’t just accepted, they’re celebrated. A place where parents can find rest, support, and resources they can’t find anywhere else.

Our community has nothing like this, and the kids deserve it. With your support, Sensory Park will become a safe, joyful, and life-changing space for families.

Every dollar raised will go directly into bringing Sensory Park to life. Your support will help us secure a safe building in the heart of our community, furnish it with inclusive sensory equipment, and create special spaces like our gross motor play area, quiet room, and parent lounge. Funds will also cover startup essentials like safety features, insurance, snacks for the kids, and a reliable POS system to keep things running smoothly. With your help, we can open our doors and create a vibrant, welcoming world where children can fidget, stim, play, and grow, and families can find connection and relief.

✨ At Sensory Park, we embrace FIDGET, and we invite you to embrace it with us.