PHOTOS: First sensory park in Istria opens in Buje

by croatiaweek
November 9, 2020
in Entertainment

(Photo: Udruga ZiiD)

A fantastic place where children can play, but also learn and awaken their senses in nature

BUJE 09 November 2020 – A sensory park for children, completely decorated with recycled and natural materials, opened on Saturday in Buje. The park is the first of its kind in Istria.

The main goal of the sensory park is to stimulate the senses, such as sight, hearing, smell and touch, all through different materials, textures, colours and smells. It is conceived as a “living organism” that will breathe with citizens and their needs. So children, for example, will discover sound and light effects in a game with old, used CDs that are painted and set up as mobiles, a play of light.

(Photo: Udruga ZiiD)

The fragrant corner, full of seedlings typical of the Istrian climate, such as rosemary, lavender and laurel, will arouse in children, as its name suggests, the senses of smell with which they will recognise nature.

(Photo: Udruga ZiiD)

The cottage, small kitchen, and chess table in the park were made from old pallets, the electric hoops became swing animals, a large drawing circle, and the “Man, Don’t Get Angry” game. Speleologists have designed a special polygon, and through a donation came an anti-stress surface that prevents accidents and injuries.

(Photo: Udruga ZiiD)

There is also a sensory path covered with sand of different granulation, all 11 tonnes were donated by Holcim, and pebbles made of wood or brick, and its purpose is for children to experience different textures and sensations.

(Photo: Udruga ZiiD)

The most interesting part for children is certainly the music corner, which was created from pallets and discarded pots, lids, pipes and pieces of cutlery. According to the Ziid Association, the sensory park is designed as a place where children, young and old, will gather and spend quality time together, given that next to the park is a bowling alley that is mostly used by retirees.

(Photo: Udruga ZiiD)

“We are indescribably happy for the realisation of this project, and we truly thank everyone who participated in its creation. We sincerely hope that citizens and visitors will keep an eye on the park and guard it. Since there is currently no lighting next to it, we appeal to the young people who gather there to be careful and not destroy anything. According to our information, the City of Buje will invest in lighting next year, which makes us extremely happy,” said Maja Livada from the Ziid Association.

(Photo: Udruga ZiiD)

The project was largely funded by the Istria Partnership Foundation, with part of the money obtained through the “Small Projects for a Better Tomorrow” competition, and many donors helped with their own funds.

(Photo: Udruga ZiiD)

The park was created on the initiative of the Buje Association ZiiD, in collaboration with prof. Olja Dijanošić, who designed the first such park in Croatia in Ludbreg. After the original idea, many volunteers joined the project from the association, but also members of the Association of Pensioners of Buje, Speleological Society of Buje, Italian Community Kaštel, NTC Sophia Center Buje, Mate Balota Elementary School (students led by art teacher Nataša Bezić), TOŠ students Edmondo de Amicis, under the guidance of art professor Silvia Cindrić (who painted the house, tables and benches and the board game “Man, don’t get angry”), TOŠ students Galileo Galilei from Umag under the guidance of prof. Marvi Novak Krenek and children from Buje kindergartens and users of the Centre for Inclusion.

(Photo: Udruga ZiiD)

Sponsors and donators who helped in the implementation of the project:

Gradsko komunalno poduzećE Civitas Bullearum, Lovačko društvo Buje, Holcim d.o.o., Metior Gradnja d.o.o. Buje, Daki, obrt za zemljane radove, LIMENIT, obrt za proizvodnju predmeta od metala, LAPIS d.o.o., S-CO d.o.o. Umag, Simbol grafika, AUTO HIT j.d.o.o., Showroom Antonela, BROLEX d.o.o., PAPION d.o.o. Frizerski salon Miki, VALENARI d.o.o., BBK Grožnjan, Premium Image.