Public playground 'is not safe for children'
A Kildare County Council managed playground is not safe, it’s been claimed.
Fine Gael councillor Lumi Panaite Fahey said there are potholes in the single Celbridge playground along with holes and a child has been injured.
“It’s more of a hazard than a pleasure,” said Cllr Claire O’Rourke, at a Kildare County Council meeting.
A call for KCC to address the uneven distribution of playgrounds across the county was made by Cllr Rupert Heather adding that each area of the county should have a “basic level of amenities.”
He said adequate playgrounds are critical for the well-being of communities.
Cllr David Trost said the Celbridge amenity is in a very poor condition.
“We’re really letting down the people of Celbridge," he said.
But Cllr Brendan Wyse said that people seeking to have a playground opened must work with KCC to have this achieved, starting with identifying a suitable site.
Cathaoirleach Joe Neville said it can take five to 10 years to provide a playground and “it’s not ideal but it’s the reality.”
KCC official Celina Barrett said the council’s “play strategy” sets out proposals for additional playgrounds around the county and this is the basis for providing a distribution of playgrounds around Kildare.
She pointed out that it is a requirement for new large scale residential developments to include play provision within them and this will further increase the distribution of playgrounds.