The newly refurbished and enhanced playground at Charleville Town Park will be officially opened at 12 noon on tomorrow Saturday, October 26th, Cork North West Fine Gael General Election candidate Councillor John Paul O’Shea has said.
The playground will be officially opened by Cllr. O’Shea’s colleague, Minister of State at the Department of Finance and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Patrick O’Donovan TD.
The event will feature appearances from Paw Patrol, Sheriff Woody, and the LOL Dolls. There will be free refreshments and treats, and visitors are encouraged to come in their Halloween Costumes. Refurbishments to the playground were funded by the Department of Community & Rural Development & Cork County Council, at a cost of more than €130,000.
Cllr. O’Shea commented: “On my way to my constituency office in Charleville every day I pass the newly refurbished playground and it is always filled with young children enjoying the facilities. It is absolutely wonderful to see and it is very evident of the importance of playgrounds in our communities in Cork. Playgrounds, as well as community halls and parks, are key areas in every community and serve a vital function.
“I welcome everyone in Charleville and nearby communities to attend the official opening of the playground tomorrow. There will be lots going on and plenty of fun for everyone. I am glad to have been part of the efforts to bring about a newly refurbished and enhanced playground for Charleville, and look forward to seeing children enjoying the facility for years to come.”
The new facility, which has been in use since July, has undergone significant improvement works as part of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme with €100,000 allocated to it through Cork County Council in 2018.
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme is a key part of the Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development. It focuses on projects which can help to enhance rural towns and villages, with a particular emphasis on stimulating economic development.
Contracts for the work which were awarded to Browne Brothers site services Ltd of Carrigadrohid, Co Cork were signed in May this year for the €130,000 upgrade, which included extensive refurbishment of the existing playground as well as the installation of new play equipment along with new surfacing, enhanced accessibility, the addition of sensory equipment, seating and perimeter fencing.
Cork County Council is also advancing improvement plans to the Town park which will include new walking paths, significant landscaping to include new native tree planting and wildflower planting, public lighting, a featured grass mound area for children as well as enhanced pedestrian access from the town park to the playground.
