Clementon Splash Park hosts special needs night for families

Clementon, NJ (WTXF)- Crowds of families poured into Clementon Splash Park in South Jersey for a night just for them.

"So he can have a lot of fun at Clementon Park and at all the water parks and rides," said Terry Meineke who brought her boys for a special needs night. It was a joint event between the park, Autism Cares Foundation and 95.7 BEN FM.

Terry's youngest son, 12-year-old Michael is special needs.

"Everybody enjoys the rides and water park," he said. His older brother Tyler says the event is really helping Michael and other kids have a good time since the park is closed to the public this evening. These kids can ride and swim worry-free.

"I know a lot of people who it is hard for them to be around too many people so it's good to limit it down to a certain amount of people," said Tyler.

Kim Smith is with Autism Cares Foundation. She says, " It's amazing. It's so exciting just to see their faces light up that they're getting to come out and participate in something they might not normally be able to do."

Smith says Clementon Park and BEN FM reached out to her with the idea. Park staff even agreed to go through training led by Autism Cares.

"So that they knew what to expect, how to handle certain situations and everyone be prepared for everyone to have a wonderful time," said Smith.

Maeyeline Ortiz came with family and friends.

"Support, support , support all the way," Ortiz said, "It's actually very important because kids don't understand what's going on and it's good to teach them that sometimes other people are different and they still need love. They still need to be understood."

Clementon Park reduced the ticket price for families tonight.

$5.00 from each ticket will be donated to the Autism Cares Foundation.