€300k plan for all-inclusive playground in Fitzgerald Park

Cork City Council plans to plough €300,000 into the development of the city’s first all-inclusive playground for children of all abilities.

The council said yesterday it has advertised for landscape architect-led design and project management teams to design and oversee the development of the new amenity on the site of the existing play area in the revamped Fitzgerald Park.

They have been given a blank sheet to work with on condition the facility is open by June 2015. The aim is to develop an amenity that will enable children with disabilities to play alongside able-bodied children.

“It is intended to become a national model in best practice for the provision of inclusive playgrounds in Ireland,” said Stephen Scully, spokesman for the councils’s recreation and sport directorate.

The development has been made possible thanks to joint funding from the Bon Secours Hospital in Cork, which has historic links to the park dating back to the last century when it occupied the present day museum for five years.

It is hoped that the playground will be open next year when Bon Secours celebrates its centenary.

“The project could not proceed without such generous support,” Mr Scully said.

Key partners including the National Disability Authority, and Cork Access, have also been working with City Hall for several months on the project.

The council has now published tenders on the Government’s e-tenders website inviting applications from qualified landscape architect-led design and project management teams to bring the project to life.

The work will require the installation of new playground equipment but it is expected that some of the existing equipment will be kept, or adapted.

Jim O’Donovan, head of the council’s environment and recreation directorate, said they are looking forward to establishing the playground.

“We know that this facility will help integrate children of all abilities in learning and playing together. We hope too that the playground will build public awareness of the benefits of integrated play while allowing the children to experience a fun-filled atmosphere.”

The closing date for tender applications is July 11.