Making life and living easy and enjoyable for the specially abled and persons with disability and special needs, Odisha has now got its first sensory park which is located in Bhubaneswar.

The park at Saheed Nagar was inaugurated by the Minister of Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ashok Chandra Panda on Tuesday in the presence of other dignitaries including the Mayor, Sulochana Das.

The park was conceived as part of the Smart City Project and has all the features that will allow specially-abled people to spend their time and enjoy themselves.

The park has pay equipment which includes two-seater swings, wheelchair swings, single-seater spring rider, multi-line swings, musical poles and trees, drum track, musical panel, sound play table, three-seater, multi-seater, and wheelchair merry go-rounds, shoulder builder, monkey bar climber, ball pool, slides and adventure climber among others.

The park has been developed by Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited at a cost of Rs.1 crore over 16,117 square feet area. It has insulated pathways, playing equipment for children, open-air gym, and other child-friendly facilities. All these features comply with the universal access guideline.

Talking to the media about the park, BSCL CEO and Municipal Commissioner, Sanjay Kumar Singh said: “The one-of-its-kind initiative will offer physically challenged persons a recreational facility in the Saheed Nagar neighbourhood. Parks are vital components of every community and play an important role in all stages of life. Inclusive parks cater to the needs of everyone and allows everyone to grow physically, socially, and emotionally.”

The park will open early in the morning and will close late at night.

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