Launch of Playground in Ballina Falcarragh, 28th March 2007
The newly developed playground in Ballina, Falcarragh was officially opened by the Chairman of the Glenties Electoral Area Committee, Cllr David Alcorn on Wednesday, 28th March, 2007. This new playground is situated adjacent to the Resource Centre in Ballina Housing Estate and was provided at a cost of €75,000. The funding package comprised of allocations from:
- Donegal County Council Led Peace 2 Task Force,
- Donegal County Council (Development Contribution Scheme)
- National Strategic Disability Fund
This facility will provide much needed social infrastructure, not only in the estate but in the town of Falcarragh and surrounding areas. Speaking at the official opening Cllr Alcorn complimented the Residents Association for their foresight in applying for a playground and highlighted the added value that can be brought to an area through partnership between local groups and the Council.
Groups wishing to apply for playgrounds should make contact in the first instance with the Community and Enterprise Area Manager in their local Public Service Centre.
In March 2004 Donegal County Council agreed to insure playgrounds on Council owned property. Since then an investment of €733,982 has been made by the Donegal County Council led Peace II Task Force and €110,000 from the National Children’s Office has been made in developing an additional 15 playgrounds in the county.
In September 2004, Donegal County Council made a decision in order that a more co-ordinated approach would be taken to developing playgrounds and invited expressions of interest from communities in the county wishing to develop play areas. The model used is similar to that for Urban and Village Renewal. An advertisement was placed in all local papers and a total of 70 community groups replied.
Following this each group was invited to make a full and detailed application for the development of a playground in their area. In preparation for this each group was provided with a document entitled ‘how to create a playground’.
The purpose of the application form was to elicit the capacity of groups to develop a playground in their area. Groups received detailed advice on how to complete the application form and were advised of the process to be employed when planning a playground.
Applications were assessed using the following criteria; availability of site on DCC land, community group capacity, design / plans and costs of playground explored.
Prior to assessing applications consultations were carried out with relevant County Council staff including CEDOs, Area Managers Housing, Tenant Liaison Officers, Roads Engineers and Area Managers Roads. These consultations assisted in getting an understanding of the local area and provided valuable information when determining the potential of groups to commit to having a playground in their area.
The resulting template was populated using information provided by the 32 groups on their returned applications. Detailed priorities for the development of playgrounds were agreed for each Electoral Area by relevant staff in each directorate and by Elected members.
The remaining groups who were not prioritised will be assisted to bring their applications up to standard and every effort will be made to develop a multi annual programme for the development of Playgrounds in the County.
For further information please contact Aideen Doherty, Community Culture and Enterprise Office, Donegal County Council, Lifford or call (074) 93 73726 ( 074) 91 94278 email Aideen.Doherty@Donegalcoco.ie