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Last modified: 19 Oct 2021 12:00pm

colourful soft fall, curved seats and balls inside a concrete walled area with a building site around

The sounds and sites of the new Rolleston town centre areas are starting to take shape.

Colourful steel tubes in front of an astroturfed mound with an outdoor xylophone and log seat in the backgroundThe tamariki zone, next to the library and town square is nearly complete with colourful soft fall, seating balls and seats now installed.

The tamariki zone will be a fun, colourful, shaded outdoor space for children, next to the tamariki area inside Te Ara Ātea and close to the town square, community kai gardens and Sensory Space.

An outdoor xylophone, speaking tubes and drums were also installed in the Sensory Space as it begins to take shape ahead of both areas opening in December.

colourful poles in front of a shade sail and pathsThe Sensory Space is an area designed for all residents regardless of physical ability or neurodiversity. The area has been designed with support from students and staff at Waitaha School and featuring art work from nine Selwyn schools, along with local mosaic artists. It will be surrounded by raised gardens and trees with areas designed to cater to each of the senses, including a water feature, musical elements, log seats and a frame over the central path with space to hang art features.

It is an area designed to engage all the senses – sight, touch, sound, smell and taste.

The choice of plants and their layout have been carefully selected to appeal to the senses through colour, touch, movement and some edible plants for taste. While each tree, rock, seat, wall and path has also been designed and placed to appeal to different senses. Many have been placed to give different sensations as the weather and seasons change.