Mangalore : The city is all set to get its second play area dedicated for specially abled children. While first one was built through people’s initiative at Mannagudda Gandhi Park, with special interest of MLA J R Lobo, the second park for special kids is all set to be laid at Kadri Park in the city.
The MLA has sanctioned Rs 15 lac for the Park, which is likely to be ready in next three months.
Speaking to Udayavani English, Architect Venkatesh Pai informed that the highlights of the 800 sqft play area will include a sensory wall so that a child can touch and feel it, bucket shaped basket ball rings where a child could bucket the ball with hand and eye co-ordination. A special walkway with smooth flooring amalgamating grass, pebbles and tiles will be laid, where the child can walk barefooted and feel the materials and recognize them. A Xylophone will also be installed so that children can press the keys and learn musical notes.
Parents or guardians will have to take care of their children as there will be no special mentors appointed at the play area. Also, as the play area is built only for the special kids, children below the age of five and other older special children are allowed to enter while normal kids will be denied entries to avoid chaos, Pai said.
Mangalore City Corporation Mayor Mahabala Maarla said that as the special children will not be able to engage in recreational activities with the equipments installed for normal kids, specially designed equipment will be put in place for the blind and handicapped children among others, thus ensuring that the children do not get injured while playing.
Unable to gel with the ‘normal’ children, the specially abled kids are usually left in isolation. With lung space shrinking in the city in general, allocating a small part in the part exclusively for the special kids is a commendable act, feel the parents of the specially abled children.
Courtesy:Udayavani