An exclusive disabled friendly park is designed to promote equity, engagement, and a sense of belongingness. It has the potential to gather all the kids on common grounds cutting out the difference among them encouraging them to play and interact together. The Special kids park is inside Jawahar Bal Bhavan, Cubbon Park at the heart of Bengaluru city, Karnataka, India. Cubbon Park, which is easily accessible through the single-modal transportation system, includes the Jawahar Bal Bhavan. The park design cultivates an experience of playfulness, learning and socialization, which aids children in developing emotional literacy and resilience through play. The concept behind the park design is biomorphic architecture. The concept is derived from the abstract of Tortoise, that implies the kid’s pace of steady progress in learning and socializing. The zoning of the spaces replicates its body. The Hump at the center creates a hierarchy on the surface forming different levels, connecting through Net climbers, Rope climbers, slides, roller slides and stairs. An intriguing hide-and-seek area is created by the tunnels beneath the mound, which are painted with an aquatic theme. These tunnels are sufficiently lit to spark interest in play and exploration. The mound’s exterior walls are installed with wall mounted play panels and basketball rings to engage the wheelchair users. The mound and the area around the play equipment are covered with Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer synthetic (EPDM), which is non-toxic and anti skid to lessen impact from falls. As you step off the mound, a landscaped path leads to the circular zones with other activities such as variety of swings, Roller bed, Merry-Go-Round, Toddler play and See-Saw. Seating area along the play equipment help adults to monitor their children. The therapeutic park and the sensory play area are further down the circulation pathways. This one-of-a-kind park contains elements that appeal to all five senses. The tools aid in coordinating the brain with the hands for touch sensory, the eyes and ears for visual sensory, and so forth. Children can play board games like tic tac toe, chowkabara (a traditional game), and snake & ladder under the colorful glass roof that covers the play area for leisure time. Wheelchair users can enjoy playing at the sand-pit tables without having to get out of their chairs. The pebbles and surrounding landscape of the sensory play area are designed to encourage interaction with nature. The choreography of the kid’s experience is designed so that they can interact with one another and nature as they travel through groves of heavenly trees, along the water stream and through the sensory park. The endless sounds of native birds create stronger connection of nature in kids. The existing tall, matured trees were retained providing shelter. The park enables the play areas developing new perspectives, fellowship by enlighten to approach, appreciate and accept diversity. Having a variety of fun activities to choose from gives kids a reason to visit the park and come back frequently.
