Sensory activity garden a huge hit with North Lurgan youngsters

Stimulating and fun, North Lurgan has an exciting new sensory garden for the children.
Deputy Mayor of Craigavon, Councillor Colin McCusker with Craigavon Borough Councils Principal Community Resources Officer, Diane Clarke, Head of Community Development, Nicola Lane and Community Centre Manager, Karen Callaghan along with Ann Marie Clarke and Jerome Burns from the Department of Social Development at the official opening of the new sensory garden.Deputy Mayor of Craigavon, Councillor Colin McCusker with Craigavon Borough Councils Principal Community Resources Officer, Diane Clarke, Head of Community Development, Nicola Lane and Community Centre Manager, Karen Callaghan along with Ann Marie Clarke and Jerome Burns from the Department of Social Development at the official opening of the new sensory garden.
Deputy Mayor of Craigavon, Councillor Colin McCusker with Craigavon Borough Councils Principal Community Resources Officer, Diane Clarke, Head of Community Development, Nicola Lane and Community Centre Manager, Karen Callaghan along with Ann Marie Clarke and Jerome Burns from the Department of Social Development at the official opening of the new sensory garden.

The sun came out last Friday at the official opening, and lots of children from the North Lurgan Pre-School Playgroup had first glance and enjoyed their new facility.

At Craigavon Borough Council’s North Lurgan Community Centre, the garden was funded entirely by the Department of Social Development through the Neighbourhood Renewal Investment Fund and is already proving a huge hit with the children.

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It provides a fun, safe and stimulating environment as well as providing additional space and facilities for activity programmes for all local residents.

A child from North Lurgan Pre-School Playgroup enjoys the new facilities at the opening of Craigavon Borough Councils North Lurgan Community Centres new sensory garden.A child from North Lurgan Pre-School Playgroup enjoys the new facilities at the opening of Craigavon Borough Councils North Lurgan Community Centres new sensory garden.
A child from North Lurgan Pre-School Playgroup enjoys the new facilities at the opening of Craigavon Borough Councils North Lurgan Community Centres new sensory garden.

The sensory garden includes an outdoor classroom with half walls, decking, seating, an all weather play area.

Not only that, but it also has a wonderful playhouse with planters, a sandbox with sliding lid, and a storytelling chair.

With sensory totem poles and finger maze the children of north Lurgan are sure to be vastly stimulated.

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Plus there is an active garden with raised planters and even a compost cottage.

Children from North Lurgan Pre-School Playgroup enjoy the new facilities at the opening of Craigavon Borough Councils North Lurgan Community Centres new sensory garden.Children from North Lurgan Pre-School Playgroup enjoy the new facilities at the opening of Craigavon Borough Councils North Lurgan Community Centres new sensory garden.
Children from North Lurgan Pre-School Playgroup enjoy the new facilities at the opening of Craigavon Borough Councils North Lurgan Community Centres new sensory garden.

The local children love the arch bridge and the rain-wheel – there are so many other various other items of play/outdoor activity equipment, they certainly won’t be lost for fun.

“North Lurgan Community Centre is a focal point to the local community and makes a valuable contribution to the area as a venue for the local Pre-School Play Group and After School Play Scheme as well as the Parent and Toddler Group and the Senior Citizen Group. Council put forward the application for the sensory garden to DSD with the support of the Pre-School Playgroup and North Lurgan Community Association and we are delighted the work is now complete.

“Sensory gardens can play a vital role in improving both emotional and physical health. The new sensory garden offers a fun, secure and stimulating environment for residents of all ages to use” said Karen Callaghan, Centre Manager, North Lurgan Community Centre.