The idea started was pretty much the same we did last year since it worked out very well. We wanted a morning where families could show up without preparing anything, and where kids could play however they play.
We chose Lions Park in Port Coquitlam because it has the things that make a difference for this crowd — plenty of shade and space if someone needs to step out of the sun and noise, open grass, a playground nearby, and parking close enough that leaving quickly is easy if a child has had enough. That last point mattered more than anything decorative. A good venue for a neurodiversity event is one that makes it easy to leave.
Planning took about 1 week. My wife Bettina handled marketing, and I took on logistics. We kept the structure deliberately loose: one canopy, a snack table, balloons, giveaway bags, name tags, donated toys, and 2 hours slot for the event. There were no activities anyone had to join and no moment where everyone was expected to look in the same direction. Free, drop-in, come and go.
The hardest part was keeping an eye to all kids while all parents were getting to know each other. We solved it by come and goes while everyone was feeling comfortable.
We did not have any volunteers this time but everyone wanted to help and collaborate.
About 30 people (parents + children) came through over the 2 hours that we ended up staying. It was really nice watching parents getting to know each other — standing by the snack table, talking easily, because they didn’t have to manage how their child was being perceived.
What I learned is that the useful thing to build isn’t a program. It’s a low-pressure excuse for people to
be in the same park at the same time.
