£570,000 funding approved for Derry play parks

Funding totalling £570,000 has been approved for two play parks in the Waterside area of Derry.

The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Cllr Elisha McCallion has welcomed Department for Social Development funding towards the parks at Irish Street (pictured) and Rose Court.

She said the announcement was “fantastic news” for the city and district and those living in the Waterside.

The projects were funded through the Department for Social Development and £60,000 from Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Parks Development programme, in partnership with local community associations Hillcrest Trust, the Waterside Neighbourhood Partnership and Irish Street Community Association, and are expected to be completed by March next year.

Cllr McCallion praised everyone involved in the projects, emphasising the positive working relationship between the funding bodies and the community groups involved. She said: “This is another example of local communities identifying a need in their local area and working with the Council and the DSD to secure relevant funding to provide much needed facilities for their area. I am delighted that the Irish Street and Rose Court areas are to benefit from much needed investment in play facilities and confident the new play areas will benefit the entire community.

“The importance of play and outdoor activity for children cannot be understated particularly at a time when computer games and television feature so prominently in the everyday lives of our children and young people. The Council is committed to play provision in the city and district and to actively encouraging children and young people to get involved in play and an active healthy lifestyle.”