‘Badly needed’ playground sought for Donegal’s youngest town
Manorcunningham's population is the youngest in Donegal, with an average age of 33.3 years
Donegal County Council has been urged to identify land in Manorcunningham for a much-needed playground.
The town's population is the youngest in Donegal, with an average age of 33.3 years.
Despite these census findings, the council heard this week that there are very limited facilities for children.
Cllr Donal Coyle said there are a lot of young families in the area and that a community park is "badly needed".
“I would think that if there is a need in the area, the council would have a role in that,” he told Tuesday's meeting of the Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District.
In its response, the council said there is currently a small council-maintained playground on council-owned land in the Abbey Park housing estate.
The recently completed Manorcunningham 2040 Regeneration Strategy and Action Plan highlighted that there is no dedicated park in the village. The plan, funded under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme 2022, identified two possible central locations for a village park. Both sites are in private ownership.
The council said there is currently no funding available to acquire or lease lands in Manorcunningham for such a community facility.
It added that if a suitable site with adequate parking became available, planning permission would also be required, along with appropriate funding to build a modern playground.