Brazil's First Public Autism-Inclusive Sensory Park Opens in Campo Florido
Campo Florido, a municipality in Brazil's Triângulo Mineiro region, celebrated the inauguration of Parque Girassol on July 7th. This park is recognized as the nation's first free, public, multi-sensory facility specifically designed to include children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (TEA) and other neurodivergences. Located in Praça São José, in the city center, its primary goal is to foster inclusion through recreational activities. The project originated in Belo Horizonte in 2025 and is now expanding to 16 other municipalities in Minas Gerais. It aims to promote development, inclusion, and leisure for children with and without disabilities, alongside their families.
The park's design was a collaborative effort involving occupational therapists, architects, engineers, and families of children with TEA. It features accessible and safe play equipment for all children, including sensory panels, balance beams, and adapted toys designed to stimulate motor, cognitive, and sensory development. Enhanced accessibility features include Braille signage, high-contrast visuals, universal symbols, non-slip flooring, and accessible pathways for wheelchair users and individuals with reduced mobility. Specialized play structures like the 'Escalada Radical' and 'Balanço Abraço' are among the attractions. Each toy is equipped with QR codes offering content in Libras (Brazilian Sign Language), audio descriptions, and captions, catering to individuals with hearing or visual impairments and other specific needs. The park's organizers emphasize that play is crucial for childhood development, fostering physical growth, attention, and emotional regulation, and should be accessible to all.
The initiative is a partnership between Instituto AMA, the State Secretariat for Social Development (Sedese), and the Minas Gerais Development Company (Codemge). Beyond recreation, Parque Girassol aims to encourage interaction between children with and without disabilities, thereby strengthening social inclusion, mutual respect, and understanding of differences. The municipality of Campo Florido invested R$ 40,000 in adapting the park's location, underscoring the local government's commitment to inclusive policies.
The establishment of Parque Girassol represents a significant step in public infrastructure development focused on neurodiversity and inclusion. By creating a dedicated, multi-sensory environment, the project addresses a critical gap in public spaces, aiming to provide equitable recreational opportunities. The collaborative design process, involving therapists, architects, and families, is a best practice for ensuring that facilities meet the nuanced needs of their intended users. Future scalability and replication of this model across other municipalities could foster broader societal integration and awareness of neurodivergent individuals. The integration of diverse accessibility features, from tactile signage to digital content in Libras and audio descriptions, highlights a forward-thinking approach to universal design, potentially setting a new standard for public amenities.
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