Kids of all abilities play in sensory garden.
Erika Kubatbekova, 3, plays underneath a parachute Sunday during opening day activities at the Sarah and Morris Feldman sensory garden and accessible water playground in Earl Bales Park. The multi-sensory environment suits a variety of ages and abilities, featuring a curving concrete seat wall and plant material that caters to touch, taste, smell and sight.
Photo/JILL KITCHENER
Goldie Feldman wasn't able to attend the official opening of the sensory garden in Earl Bales Park but the children playing in the attraction have her to thank for all the fun they were having.
Feldman, who was unable to attend due to illness, donated $1 million to create the water playground and garden which is accessible to people of all ages and abilities.
"She is just one of those people who wants to make the world a better place," said her son, David Green.
The sensory garden features a curving concrete seat wall and a variety of plant materials providing different sensations of touch, taste, smell and sight.
Pathways and play areas contain different textures, finishes, colours and word cues.
The playground comes complete with a giant frog sculpture water feature, brightly coloured tubes and poles, customized audio and water jets, stylized fish and turtles etched into the pavement to provide whimsical visual and tactile sensations, a water trough and hand pump which is wheelchair accessible and can be used for therapeutic uses, outdoor drums, a large nest for children to play in and a moose sculpture,
The park area also offers accessible picnic tables, custom-made furniture and garbage containers, a spacious lawn area and accessible path walkways.
Green, who has acted as a facilitator for the park on behalf of his mother, said she is very keen that the park appeal to people of all physical and cognitive abilities.
The attraction is named the Sarah and Morris Feldman sensory garden and accessible water playground in honour of Feldman's parents, who brought their family to Canada from Poland.
Morris Feldman came first in 1929 and worked to earn money to bring the family here in about 1935, Green said.
Green said his mother wanted to give something back to the city where the family has thrived over seven-and-a-half decades.
Also, Earl Bales Park is on Bathurst Street, south of Sheppard Avenue, along which Toronto's Jewish community has long congregated, he noted.
"She wanted something that was in the neighbourhood but would benefit everybody in the city," said Green, noting his family grew up in the area of Bathurst and Lawrence Avenue.
While Feldman has not been able to visit the completed park, the mother of five and grandmother of 11 had seen it under construction.
The family is looking forward to taking her to see the completed project when she is well, Green said.
"I think she will love the water facility. It is a very bright and colourful place. It is universally accessible," he said.
York Centre Councillor James Pasternak said the sensory garden is a greatly appreciated gift from Feldman.
"The fact that the playground is designed for children and adults with special features that enhance the development of children living with cognitive and development abilities sends a signal that Toronto needs to continue to reach out to those who face physical and mental challenges," he added.
"At the same time, this new water playground represents an essential revitalization of Ward 10 and its parks."
The sensory garden isn't the only way in which Feldman has given back to the city.
For example, an active volunteer at the seniors' centre at Earl Bales Park, she has also contributed financially to Baycrest Geriatric Health Care System, facilities for troubled youth and the United Way Jane Street Hub for the priority neighbourhoods of Weston, Mount Dennis and Trethewey and surrounding areas.
"I'm very proud of her. I always have been, as are all of her kids," Green said.
"She's been a role model for her family and many others, living life the way she does with humility."