Join us on April 26, 2025, for the grand opening of Sebastian’s Playground in Solon! This special event honors the memory of Sebastian Gray Botirius, a bright spirit whose love for play inspired us to create joyful, inclusive spaces for all children. This grand opening is not just about fun; it’s about community, remembrance, and building a world where every child can play together—just as Sebastian would have wanted.

When we first dreamed up Sebastian’s Playground, we didn’t know exactly where it would take us—we just knew one thing for sure: Sebastian would’ve wanted a world full of inclusive playgrounds where every kid could play together.

Sebastian absolutely loved playgrounds. He loved meeting new friends, climbing, sliding, laughing—just being a kid. One of his all-time favorite places to play was the playground in Solon. It’s where his friends played, where his family gathered, and where he made so many joyful memories. That’s why we chose Solon as the very first location. It’s close to home, and it gave us the chance to show what’s possible. But this is just the beginning.

About Sebastian’s Playgrounds

Sebastian’s Playgrounds was founded to honor Sebastian’s legacy of happiness and love so it can live on forever. Our mission is to build inclusive, world-class playgrounds where children of all abilities can play together in the places that need them most—whether that means partnering with cities, working with local organizations, or joining forces with individuals who share our passion. We want to bring these joyful spaces to life, one community at a time.

We’ve developed a model for fundraising and building playgrounds, and with the help of a wide variety of partners, we will bring inclusive playgrounds to even more cities.

Sebastian’s Story

Sebastian Gray Botirius was born on November 20, 2017. He was an easy-going and happy infant. When he was six months old, he was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), which is extremely rare for an infant. Subsequent genetic testing showed the T1D was caused by a rare genetic disorder called LRBA Deficiency. This disease causes a number of difficult autoimmune diseases, and his family was given a short life expectancy. In hopes of combating his prognosis, Sebastian received a bone marrow transplant (BMT) in May 2021, which was the best chance for a cure. The transplant was initially successful and Sebastian was seeming to get better, despite many ups and downs. His family and medical team did everything they could. Devastatingly, Sebastian passed away on Monday, April 18, 2022, at the age of four, due to complications from the BMT.

When it comes to Sebastian, it is hard to lead with how he died, because what truly matters is how he lived. He LIVED! He loved, he laughed, and he celebrated every moment. In the short time he had, he did so much and blessed the world with his presence for just over four years.

Sebastian’s Legacy

Sebastian’s spirit lives on in every smile, every swing, and every new friendship made at his playgrounds. The playground features inclusive equipment, ensuring that every child can play together, just as Sebastian would have wanted. We can’t wait to see where his legacy takes us next.

Event Details

• Date: Saturday, April 26, 2025
• Time: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Location: Sebastian’s Playground, Solon Community Park
• Activities: Ribbon cutting, face painting, balloon artist, giant inflatables, family fun, and more!

Come celebrate with us as we honor Sebastian’s legacy and bring joy to Northeast Ohio families. Together, let’s create a world where every child can play without limits!

Downloadable Brochure