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An unsightly area left behind after an unsafe playground was demolished and replaced has been turned into something positive by Whangaparaoa School.
Ongoing Resourcing Scheme teacher Angela Howse says the school has a number of children with special needs and some are unable to access the new playground.
“We were wondering how we could utilise the area better and, at the same time, make it an inclusive space for children of all abilities,” she says. “That is how the concept for a sensory garden started.”
A draft plan for the approximately 200sqm space was presented to the principal, Kevin Cronin, who liked the idea and the Parents and Friends Association set aside an initial budget of $5000 for the project.
The school is also applying for grants and approaching local businesses and organisations to see whether they can help bring the garden concept to life.
Angela says that the students themselves had an opportunity to be part of some of the design components, starting with a small group who have designed and painted poles for the space.
The plan includes an all weather area that will be an open-air teaching space – the turf for this is was laid over the holidays.
There will be a footpath wide enough for wheelchair access. The curbs have been laid so the children will start the new term providing ideas for a tactile footpath that will provide sensory feedback for bare feet and children in wheelchairs. It is hoped that this stage will be complete by the end of term one.
The garden will have an area designed to stimulate the children’s aural/auditory senses. Students will be asked to help with making interactive equipment that create various sounds. There will also be an area in the garden featuring plants to stimulate the senses of sight, touch and smell.
Angela says it has been lovely to find a number of past pupils volunteering their help and working alongside the younger children.
