Published
May 27, 2021
by Oscar Rennebohm Foundation
In memory of Madison resident and disability rights advocate Jeff Erlanger, the Oscar Rennebohm Foundation has donated $100,000 to help build an accessible playground named after him in 2022 in Oscar Rennebohm Park on the West side.
This is one of five accessible playgrounds the Madison Parks Foundation is working to build, including two, in Brittingham and Elver Parks, that have already been finished. Both feature wheelchair access and features for cognitively disabled children.
“I think it’s wonderful. It makes Madison a better place. It does my heart good that kids will have a place to go now. It makes my heart so happy,” says Erlanger’s mother, Pat Erlanger.
After having a tumor removed from his spine as an infant, Erlanger spent the rest of his life in a wheelchair, but became famous for appearing on Mr. Rogers Neighborhood when he was ten years old and teaching the audience about living with a disability.
He later graduated from Edgewood College, got involved in Madison politics, and became an activist, working to improve his community.
Sources:
https://www.nbc15.com/2021/05/27/making-a-difference-memory-of-madison-man-who-inspired-mr-rogers-inspires-expansion-of-accessible-playgrounds-in-madison/
https://madisonparksfoundation.org/donate
https://madisonparksfoundation.org/jeff-erlanger