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Did you know that one in six individuals has a sensory need or an invisible disability, and common, unpreventable stimuli can overwhelm these individuals – certain sounds, harsh lights, large groups, and even particular smells – leaving them no choice but to withdraw from participation?
These resources below were designed to lessen sensory overload and create safe spaces, allowing people of all abilities to safely participate and thrive in our programs, events, and facilities. We are committed to continuing to expand our library of sensory resources to make Raleigh Parks a place for everyone to grow, learn, and play!
What they are:
Bags containing several tools intended to reduce overstimulation, such as:
- Headphones
- Sunglasses
- Fidget toys
- Communication cards
How they work:
If you see a sensory kit stand at our community centers or events, feel free to grab a bag and use the supplies as needed. Upon conclusion of the event or program, return it back to the stand, at which point staff will sanitize the items before the next use.
Where you can find them:
- Community and Neighborhood Centers
- Pullen and Sertoma Arts Centers
- All seasonal and year-round pools
- City of Raleigh Museum
- Lakes and Nature centers
- Select Raleigh Parks events
- Select neighborhoods, community events, and community gathering places by way of the Community Engagement Van
What they are:
Multi-sensory environments that are used to educate, stimulate, relax, calm, or energize, as a multi-sensory experience or single-sensory focus.
Where you can find them:
- Durant Nature Preserve Sensory and Nature Play Garden
- Sertoma Art Center Playground Sensory Garden
- Durant Nature Preserve Wall
Sensory Friendly Features At Raleigh Parks
Sensory Friendly Feature at Abbotts Creek - Wooden Busy Box
Sensory Friendly Features At Barwell - Alligator Activity Wall
Sensory Friendly Features At Durant- Music Wall
Sensory Friendly Features At Greystone - Sequin Flowers on the Wall
Sensory Friendly Features At Greystone - Caterpillar Activity
Sensory Friendly Features At Greystone - Activity Wall and Sequin Wall
Sensory Friendly Features At Kiwanis Park - Liquid Tiles on the Wall
Sensory Friendly Features At Marsh Creek - Fidget Boxes and Cube Wall
Sensory Friendly Features At Shelly Lake/Sertoma - Communication Wall
Sensory-Friendly Features At Sertoma - Sensory Smell and Touch Garden
Sensory Friendly Features At Tarboro Road - Marble Wall
Sensory Friendly Feature At Jaycee - Fish Push Wall
Sensory Friendly Feature At Jaycee - Felt Story Board and Bubble Tubes (build your own ocean)
Sensory Friendly Feature At Jaycee - Liquid Tiles
- Abbotts Creek Community Center
- Barwell Community Center
- Durant Nature Preserve
- Greystone Recreation Center
- Jaycee Community Center
- Kiwanis Community Center
- Marsh Creek Community Center
- Pullen Community Center
- Shelly Lake Communication Board
- Tarboro Road Community Center