MADURAI
The Special Needs Park near the Lotus Tank on Alagarkoil Road, the State’s first all-inclusive park for differently abled children, provided a respite for them, said A. Chandrasekaran, Managing Trustee of Madurai Group Living Foundation (MGLF) during the second anniversary celebration of the park on Monday.
While Madurai Corporation has provided infrastructure for the park, which was inaugurated in July 2017, MGLF maintains it with funding by parents, who are its members.
Speaking at the event, Corporation Commissioner S. Visakan said work for supplying drinking water to the park would start on Tuesday. “I wish to establish additional special parks in the city. If the organisers identify an undeveloped park, the Corporation is ready to pool in 50% of funds,” said Mr. Visakan.
Around 100 saplings were planted using Miyawaki technique on the occasion. The park has a sprawling sensory garden, accommodative swing sets, roller slides and disabled friendly toilets.
Mr. Chandrasekaran said the park needed upgraded sensory play equipment, additional accommodative swings and a false ceiling at the activity centre.
The park also acts as a platform for parents and teachers to share their experiences. “It binds parents together and we share our experiences. Through this process, we also learn a lot,” said M. Hameedha, a parent.
Mr. Chandrasekaran said the foundation had bigger plans. “We want to establish a centre for ‘community living,’ where special children and their families can live together. In this centre, even if a parent passes away, other parents will take care of the special child,” he added.