€600,000 facility sets new standard for playgrounds

A spectacular all-inclusive playground opening in Cork today is set to become a national model in best practice in the provision of play spaces for children of all abilities.

Video by Larry Cummins

The €600,000 playground in the city’s Fitzgerald’s Park, one of the most expensive ever built in the city, is opening several weeks ahead of schedule, and is being monitored by a new CCTV system.

The playground was designed following consultation with stakeholders, including St Paul’s School Montenotte and Padre Pio School in Churchfield.

Developed on the site of the park’s old playground, which was installed in 1997 thanks to funding from the then Cork Examiner, the The facility includes a castle and sunken pirate ship structure, three slides, seven swings, a climbing pyramid, basket swings, hedgehog and ladybird springers, horizontal bars, a 2.6m high climbing wall, seesaws, balance poles, and a wheelchair roundabout, as well as picnic tables and chairs.

It includes sensory rich structures which are designed to encourage play for all children, but especially those with developmental disabilities.

The project was funded by Cork City Council and the Bon Secours Hospital through its Community Initiative Programme, given its historic links to the park which date back to the last century when it occupied the present-day museum for five years.

Stephen Scully, a spokesman for the city council’s parks department, said: “We are delighted with the all-inclusive nature of the facility and we are looking forward to giving kids of all abilities a chance to learn and play together.”

Andrew McCarthy of the Bon Secours Hospital said they were thrilled to be involved in the project.“Our key aim for this project is that the playground will promote public awareness of the benefits of integrated play,” he said.

The council was criticised earlier this year for the timing of the work during the summer but Mr Scully said it was unavoidable, given the long lead-in to the design and tendering process.When the project was announced last year, a budget of €300,000 was set aside.However, as the playground design process unfolded, it became clear that the original budget was not enough to deliver a worthwhile and fully inclusive project.Mr Scully said he is confident it will get a great reaction, and he praised the contract team who delivered on budget and ahead of schedule.

The playground will open in line with the park’s summer opening hours — 8.30am to 9pm seven days a week.Council officials expect the new playground to experience high usage and high levels of wear and tear.But they have prepared a detailed and regular inspection and repair regime which, they said, should ensure the playground lasts up to 20 years.