Inclusion and advocacy: 'Wicked' actress visits Milwaukee to celebrate the future Moss Universal Park

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — After seven years in the making, construction is moving forward for the nation's first fully universal park, and it will be in our hometown of Wauwatosa.

A special guest visited Milwaukee Thursday, July 17, to honor the efforts.

The Ability Center hosted their 'A Walk In The Park' luncheon at the Italian Community Center with a special appearance by Mazomanie native, Marissa Bode, who plays Nessarose in the film, "Wicked.'

Bode performed a rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," giving the audience a touching reminder of the power of advocacy.

"What an incredible moment to bring a Wisconsinite back home, who is blazing trails for people of all abilities," said Damian Buchman, The Ability Center's founder and executive director.

The luncheon celebrated a milestone: $10 million has been raised for the future Moss Universal Park, allowing them to break ground on phase one this fall.

"I think it creates, from jump and from an early age, for kids to just feel like they belong, and to feel welcome," Bode said about the project.

It will be the first and largest of its kind: 18 acres in Wauwatosa with play areas and wooded trails accessible for people of all abilities.

"This is a huge project that's intentionally designed not only to make sure we can access the 18 acres, but to really create a national movement of universal parks," Buchman said.

Phase one of the project will include the country's first universally inclusive ball fields, a sensory-safe playground, a universal clubhouse, and therapy pods, where people can practice physical and occupational therapies.

Moss Universal Park is a longtime dream of Buchman's, and it's close to his heart.

"This is what I survived my childhood cancer for," he said. "It is this movement, it is this inclusion, this level of engagement in the community, that says maybe, after 32 years, I just might have finally honored my survivorship."

The project is also meaningful to Bode, who has used a wheelchair since she was 11 years old, and is now famous for her role in 'Wicked' and 'Wicked: For Good.'

"If I can create any change in any way or make an impact on others to help create that change, that's the most important part to me," she said Thursday. "I have a platform now. I'm going to use it in any way that I can."

Advocates like her are who amplify The Ability Center's mission.

"To see yourself kind of mirrored in theatre, in movies, in the arts, gives you the appreciation - the realization of - I can do it too," Buchman explained.

After phase one opens next summer, The Ability Center will need to raise $9.5 million for phase two, which includes the largest universal playground and trails.

The full Moss Universal Park is on track to be completed by the Summer of 2027.