Corpn prepares plan for sensory parks at Valasaravakkam, Adyar

According to a Chennai Corporation official, the sites have been identified on Sakthi Nagar Main Road in Valasaravakkam and Kottur Garden First Cross Street in Adyar. The park in Valasaravakkam would be built at a cost of around Rs 1.62 crore and the Adyar sensory park would be built at a cost of Rs 1.85 crore.

The first sensory park in Santhome was constructed under Smart City Mission as a pilot project. The original plan was to create more parks based on the Santhome model. “We have floated tenders to construct the new sensory parks. The works would be started after selecting suitable firms,” the official said.

The Santhome sensory park has disabled-friendly facilities, including sensory pathways, wheelchair-friendly play areas and tactile equipment. For children with visual impairment, the walls on the parks have engraved stories in braille. Similar facilities would be provided at the two new sensory parks.

The Santhome sensory park has already received an award from the India wing of Smart Cities Council, US-headquartered organisation, under the category of Smart Citizen Service Delivery. The civic body had constructed the park, spread across 1,500 square metres, at a cost of Rs 1.30 crore.

The Corporation has handed over the maintenance of the sensory park to a private firm, a move that has saved the civic body Rs five lakh per year.