News & Events
Check out this video by Charlottesville Inside-Out to learn more about Bennett’s Village, or scroll down to discover event information, volunteer opportunities, and further discussion posts.
Imagining a World where ALL Can Play
Rosser Wayland, Bennett's Instructional Assistant at Johnson Elementary School, imagined a Lego world where all could play. To mark the anniversary of Bennett's passing, Bennett's mom Kara took Lego Ben and his playground to the future home of Bennett's Village, where...
On the Third Anniversary of Bennett’s Passing
We can hardly believe it has been three years since we lost sweet Bennett. Our darling boy loved to play–in honor of the anniversary of Bennett’s passing, we invite you to take a walk outside sometime in the next week, at Pen Park if you can, or anywhere if you...
Why Bennett’s Village
We asked two fans of Bennett’s Village to write about why they think it is important to build a place where ALL can play. Here are their responses: Molly Carter (Bottle Tree Consulting): When I look back on my childhood, it’s funny, thinking about the things I felt...
Diagnosis Day
May 23rd. Since 2013 I have struggled with this day on the calendar. Diagnosis Day. It was the day everything changed. Every SMA family (or any other family that receives a serious medical diagnosis) remembers the moment that forever changed the trajectory of their...
Big Feelings
It’s been a surreal few weeks. There are all kinds of big feelings going on right now for adults and kids alike. Many of us are having to learn new ways of interacting with each other and the world. Some of us are feeling the effects of being cooped up…we miss our...
Disco Hide-and-Seek Parties
Bennett and his sister Ananda loved to play together. On the playground, in the car, and in the living room. With his friends, with her friends, with their pet guinea pigs. They didn't let Bennett's mobility challenges get in the way of fun. One year (for Christmas or...
The Light Blinking on the Answering Machine
By Kara McClurken (Bennett’s mom) [Note: This post was written on Christmas Eve. To all of you who knew Bennett and to all of you who never met Bennett personally but are working by our side to create Bennett’s Village, we thank you for sharing our son and his dream...
Grateful for You
It’s been an amazing week of fun and design at Bennett’s Village. We came together to gather community input on Tuesday, we had an AMAZING event at the Cardinals for Bennett’s Village Fundraiser, and we have the first design meeting for the Hallowheels event today,...
Spatial Audit of Charlottesville Parks
Last fall, students in UVA’s Urban and Environmental class PLAN 6020, Methods of Community Research and Engagement, partnered with Bennett’s Village to conduct a spatial audit of the Charlottesville parks. One of the focuses of the study was to rate the inclusivity of...
Bennett’s Rocks
by Kara McClurken (aka Bennett’s mommy) Bennett loved rocks. Shiny ones, dull ones, rough ones, smooth ones, sparkly ones, and ordinary ones that he found in the parking lot. Size, shape, color didn’t matter. He saw them all for the individual potential and wonder....