All-abilities playground in Cork starts build
It is hoped that the major facility in Fitzgerald’s Park, which will enable children with disabilities to play alongside able-bodied children, will be open by August.
City Hall said the timing of the work during the summer 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 design process unfolded, it became clear that the original budget was not enough to deliver a worthwhile and fully inclusive project.
“We decided that if we were going to do this, we would do it properly, so extra funding was found,” said Stephen Scully, spokesman for the city councils’s recreation and sport directorate.
“It is intended to become a national model in best practice for the provision of inclusive playgrounds in Ireland.”
The new playground, earmarked to be built on the site of the park’s dated playground, was designed following consultation with stakeholders, including St Paul’s School Montenotte and Padre Pio School in Churchfield.
From next week, Cumnor Construction will move on site, close the old playground and begin removing its equipment.
Some pieces will be recycled, while others will be installed in other city playgrounds.
Work will then begin installing the new equipment which will include a castle and ship structure with slides, a climbing pyramid, basket swings, hedgehog and ladybird springers, a 2.6m climbing wall, see-saws, balance poles, and a wheelchair roundabout.
The project has been made possible thanks to joint funding from the Bon Secours Hospital in Cork, which has historic links to the park that dating back to the last century when it occupied the present-day museum for five years.
Speaking at the launch of the project yesterday, Lord Mayor Mary Shields hailed the initiative.
“This is a hugely exciting project for both the city council and the Bons Secours Hospital and will provide a challenging explorative space integrating children of all abilities,” said Ms Shields.
Bon Secours Hospital spokesman Andrew McCarthy said members of the facility were delighted to be involved.
