Diarmuid Gavin, celebrity gardener and landscape architect has teamed up with the Public Art Office and the Community and Enterprise Section of Donegal County Council to design and create one of the most imaginative and ambitious community spaces and play parks for Carndonagh, Co. Donegal.
Donegal County Council has just signed a contract with Diarmuid Gavin to design one of the most imaginative and ambitious community spaces and play parks for Barrack Hill, Carndonagh, Co. Donegal.
As part of the Park there will be a new playground with soft ground and play equipment but it is well documented that when children reach 6 or so, they lose interest in the ‘formal playground’ and would prefer places that can inspire the imagination – places with changes in level, hiding places, trees and bushes and an environment which can test the limits of capabilities, climbing, rolling, digging and so on, places that can stimulate the senses – making music in the natural environment, quiet places, colours and shapes, dark and bright places. It is also documented that changes in the natural and built environment has resulted in a decreasingly child friendly environment, with less open spaces and places to explore. It is suggested that children and young people should ideally be involved and facilitated in the planning and development of their own play spaces and activities. Donegal County Council’s Public Art Program has sought to address this by engaging Diarmuid Gavin and inviting him to come to Carndonagh early in 2008 and work directly with children, teenagers and older people in the design of their space. A set of designs will be presented by Diarmuid Gavin mid 2008 that when implemented should create one of the most innovative, ambitious community spaces and play parks in Ireland. According to Ms. Terre Duffy, Public Art Manager, “we see Diarmuid Gavin doing for play what Jamie Oliver did for school dinners”. This is a very special and unique project, one that aspires to international standards of innovation, imagination, excellence and value for money. The design element will be funded through Donegal County Council’s Public Art Program www.donegalpublicart.ie and the implementation will be funded by a range of funders.
For further information contact :
Ms. Terre Duffy, Public Art Manager for Donegal County Council on 074 9121 968 or
Ms. Aideen Doherty, Area Manager Community & Enterprise Donegal County Council. 074 9373 718