Ex-Giant hits the playground

Tiki Barber has joined the effort to let all the children play.

The retired Giants star running back announced a partnership with the Let All the Children Play Foundation, a Woodmere-based charity that leads a project that will build a handicapped-accessible, universal playground at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow.

The three-way partnership, which also includes Kompan Playgrounds, will launch with the Eisenhower Park project and expand to other locations in the future.

In October, Let All the Children Play and county officials broke ground for the playground, which is expected to open next summer. It will be built on a two-acre site, next to parking field No. 4.

The organization is led by Executive Director David Weingarten, an Atlantic Beach resident formerly of Oceanside, an advocate for children with special needs. It is a nonprofit charitable foundation established with the goal of providing a fun place for children with disabilities and their able-bodied peers.

“This partnership gives LATCP the best opportunity to help typical children develop leadership skills and compassion while educating and inspiring all children about friendship and acceptance,” Weingarten said.

Michael Alon, the founder of Let All the Children Play, echoed Weingarten’s view. “This partnership brings together three great organizations with a similar vision, and we look forward to doing great things with Tiki Recreation and Kompan,” Alon said. “The development of accessible playgrounds and inclusive programs will help all children, those with or without disabilities.”

The state-of-the art facility will host programs with a focus on creating an environment in which children of all abilities will play together.