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LONGMEADOW Hasbro, Inc. dedicated western Massachusetts' first Boundless Playground June 17 in honor of E. David Wilson, who recently retired as president of Hasbro Games. Hasbro explained that, as part of its commitment to helping children and their families who are facing critical life obstacles, it awarded a $350,000 Boundless Playground to the Longmeadow Parks and Recreation Department so children of all abilities can play and have fun together. A public ceremony and dedication was held for the opening of the Wilson Boundless Playground in Bliss Park June 17. Hasbro Games is based in East Longmeadow, where the Hasbro brands of Parker Brothers and Milton Bradley games are developed, manufactured and marketed. "Dave Wilson is one of the most respected executives in the toy industry and Hasbro has benefited greatly from his many years of service," said Alfred J. Verrecchia, Hasbro, Inc.'s president and chief executive officer. "We couldn't think of a more deserving person to name this Boundless Playground after." Wilson's Hasbro career began in 1972 when he joined Parker Bros. as vice president of sales. After holding various management positions at Milton Bradley in the 1980s, he was named president in 1990. Since 1999, Wilson has led Hasbro Games as its president, and in 2004 he was promoted to president, Hasbro Games Segment and executive vice president Global Business Integration. Wilson retired on Dec. 31, 2005. The Wilson Boundless Playground will serve thousands of children from the region. The playground was designed in cooperation with Boundless Playgrounds, a Connecticut-based organization that supports communities that want to create universally accessible play areas. Boundless Playgrounds has set the standard nationally for universally accessible playgrounds, ensuring that each one provides equal play opportunities for children with and without disabilities, as well as fun, challenging and sensory-rich activities that offer developmental advantages to all. "There is so much for children with disabilities to gain by the opening of the Wilson Boundless Playground, including self-esteem, celebrating differences and similarities and enjoying the same rights as others," said Amy Jaffe Barzach, co-founder of Boundless Playgrounds. "We have a longstanding partnership with Hasbro and their generous commitment to Boundless Playgrounds has enabled us to bring the joy of play to hundreds of thousands of children and families with and without disabilities across America." The grand opening also included a special performance by Nashville-based country music singer Carly Goodwin debuting a new song inspired by Boundless Playgrounds called "Play Together." About Hasbro and Boundless Playgrounds According to the company, Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE:HAS) is a worldwide leader in children's and family leisure time entertainment products and services, including the design, manufacture and marketing of games and toys ranging from traditional to high-tech. Both internationally and in the U.S., its PLAYSKOOL, TONKA, MILTON BRADLEY, PARKER BROTHERS, TIGER, and WIZARDS OF THE COAST brands and products provide the highest quality and most recognizable play experiences in the world. The National Center for Boundless Playgrounds is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides leadership to help communities create extraordinary playgrounds where all children, with and without disabilities, can develop essential life skills as they learn together through play. More than 85 Boundless Playgrounds projects are now open in 21 states and Canada and dozens more are currently in development. Boundless Playgrounds, based in Connecticut, was founded in 1997 by a passionate team of parents and professionals. | ||||||
