Sensory park appeals to all 5 senses of kids

The park is a project of the Greater Chennai Corporation and Smart City (P) Ltd along with the Disability Rights Alliance, Kilikili and City Works. It is located on a site adjoining the State Resource Centre for Inclusive Education of the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan in Santhome Games like Aadupuliyatam, Kattamvilayattu and snake and ladder share space seasoned with native herbs like basil, mint and omam. Talking to DT Next, Kavitha Krishnamoorthy, founder and Managing trustee of Kilikili, a network of parents of children with disabilities, spearheading the movement for Inclusive Play, said, “This is an inclusive park to cater to kids with disabilities. Kids with autism can be overwhelmed with sensory stimulation as a result of bright colours. To calm them down, we can use traditional games as they have a great connect with children.”

Going organic, the park has a combination of herbs that are native so that they can be easily grown, adapting to the environmental conditions in the city. “We wanted to invoke all the five senses.”

Vaishnavi Jayakumar of DRA said they did considerable research into the kind of plants that can decorate the park. The park has a regular playground equipment such as swings, slides and climbers. “With appropriate modifications, it will help children work to orient their body. The stepping stones in the park will help them judge height and distance. What will also thrill children is the sensory pathway,” she pointed out.