Santa arrived at Chestnuthill Park on Tuesday for a special Sensory Santa event, a calm experience for children with autism or sensitivity disorders.

“It’s a holiday experience where you eliminate lots of triggers such as bright lights and crowds,” said Manager of Parks and Recreation Steve Baade.

One family at a time visits with Santa for 10 minutes. Thirty children signed up for the event.

Baade said that he made gift bags for Santa to give to the children with sensory items such as fidget spinners.

Harriet Barone and her 29-year-old daughter Katherine volunteered, greeting kids and families.

Katherine, who has autism, said there weren’t opportunities like this when she was younger so she “enjoys being a role model for kids with autism.”

“When Katherine was little she couldn’t attend certain events comfortably. It broke my heart,” Harriet Barone said. “Here, you don’t have the stress factor so parents can enjoy it, too. You need this and need to be in the community and have these experiences.”

Santa and Mrs. Claus noted that their sleigh ride here was very cold.

“Rudolph likes to play sometimes (probably reindeer games) but the other reindeers behaved.”

Seven-year-old Erik Johnson was eager to tell Santa what he wanted for Christmas. Both Uno and Dos card games, which Johnson excitedly explained, “have numbers 1-10 and twos are wild.”

Kara Shiko, 7, was hoping to get “Stitch stuff.” Her mom Amanda explained that they moved to the community last fall and enjoyed the movie “Lilo and Stitch” outside at the park.

People could guess the number of marshmallows in a jar to win a prize of mugs, hot chocolate and a Visa gift card.

Cookies provided at a discount by Kinsleys ShopRite and hot chocolate were enjoyed by all.

“There’s no cost for the event and money is tight, especially around the holidays,” Baade said. “Families can make memories they may not have been able to in the past.”