Proposed new sensory garden will have positive impact in north Mayo town

PLANS for a sensory park in Tom Ruane Park in Ballina are currently on display.

The sensory garden will allow visitors to enjoy a wide variety of sensory experiences. It will be designed to provide opportunities to stimulate the senses, both individually and in a combination of ways that users may not usually encounter.

Mayo County Council has invited public submissions on the proposal - you have until January 20 to let them know your views.

To date, two submissions have been received, welcoming the project but highlighting the need for wheelchair accessible toilet facilities at the site to ensure inclusivity.

One submission explained the positive impact the garden will have.

They set out: 'I wish to offer my strong support to the proposal to locate the sensory park in Tom Ruane Park, alongside the existing facility. In addition, I support the decision to relocate the sensory park towards the more peaceful rear of the site, away from the noisy traffic of the busy Sligo Road and closer to nature and our peaceful River Moy. This larger site offers the opportunity for a safer, more peaceful and enjoyable experience for all users and their families.

'This facility is urgently needed. It is not a nice-to-have in a town of our size, it is essential.

'Currently, the needs of so many people with sensory needs - and their families - in our town and in the wider region are not being met and they are being excluded.

'Sensory gardens aid children's development by stimulating the senses in a safe way, offer a calm outdoor space to enjoy, encourage explorative and discovery skills, allow children to engage with the environment and support cognitive development.

'Critically, locating the park beside our existing town park means that people with sensory needs can socialise and play outdoors with and alongside their family friends, making this a truly inclusive space and one that is vital for health and wellbeing. In addition, it will be available and open to everyone to use and benefit from.

'It is heartening to see the level of consultation that has taken place with potential users of the space and their families to ensure that the layout, design, equipment and materials will meet the sensory and safety needs of those who will be using it. All too often when developing infrastructure there is a lack of consultation with people who will actually be using it, so this is time and energy well spent.'

The submission echoed the views contained in a previous submission by the mother of a teenager with a disability that any toilets made available in the park must cater for people with disabilities.

Perhaps these toilets might become a permanent fixture in the town park, transformed into an attractive feature, and perhaps there is also an opportunity to make food or coffee available in the park, taking environmental considerations into account, they suggested.

Given the central location of the site, there might be opportunities to team up with voluntary groups in the town to undertake some of the horticultural work in the new garden, creating an opportunity for learning and further developing the #BeelieveInBallina biodiversity initiative or the Karen Community Garden initiative.

Added the submission: 'Tom Ruane Park is already a fine asset, but using this space to its potential means it can really now become best in class - but it needs to happen soon.

'Having spoken with friends who have family members with sensory issues there is a real concern about the delay in progress and a real fear that it will not proceed at all. They desperately want and need this space. Therefore, it is vital that the project proceeds quickly to avoid further disappointment, and the community will not be found lacking if support or assistance is needed.

'With the Ballina 2023 celebrations on the horizon, the official opening should be included in the event programme, which is heavily focused on inclusivity.'

The submission paid tribute to all involved in the project.