PRESS RELEASE (12/15/2015)
Loano gives himself for Christmas the marbles track accessible to all.
Saturday, December 19, to the 4 p.m., the inauguration of the marbles track, installed on the belvedere of the Pulin Playground, on the waterfront.
“The play area next to the Kursaal Palace," explains the Mayor of Loano, Luigi Pignocca - is enriched with a new game, which has the characteristic of being accessible to all children and young people. The marbles track, in fact, has such features that even those with motor difficulties and who use wheelchairs can participate in competitions with marbles. We enthusiastically welcomed this proposal, which is part of initiatives to improve the accessibility and usability of services in our city for everyone. After the sea wheelchairs with assisted bathing and the lift, which allows bathing in the small pool for young people with motor disabilities, we add a new opportunity for leisure and play. I believe it is important for us to continue on the priority path of creating accessible opportunities for all, as part of a renewed commitment to the values expressed by the Lilac Flag, waving on Loano.”
The first prototype of the game, designed by Final architect Deborah Ballarò and produced by “Fima”-an Emilia-based street furniture company that sells it both in Italy and abroad-was installed in December 2013 and has since been placed in several locations and repeatedly reported in specialized magazines.
“The idea of the track,’ explains the’Arch. Ballarò - was born from the desire to create a game that could overcome architectural barriers, so as to offer all children the same opportunity for recreation. Marbles races are by far the most popular game played by the very young who spend their seaside vacations on the Riviera, and this track is accessible to all. The modules of the structure are made of concrete with high mechanical and aesthetic performance, while the feet are made of stainless steel. The structure is suitable not only for playing marbles, but also for hosting both radio-controlled and push car races.”
The track, which measures 7 meters x 3 meters, will accommodate up to 20/25 children. The all-accessible Marbles Track was also featured at “Milano Capitale del Design 2015 - FuoriSalone,” where it was exhibited in the Cortile d'Onore of the State University, alongside installations by world-renowned architects, including Philippe Starck, Antonio Citterio, José Roberto Moreira do Valle, and Alessandro and Francesco Mendini.
