LABOUR Party councillor Joe Leddin has called on the Council to identify suitable land in the general Raheen and Dooradoyle area to facilitate the construction of a new multi-purpose children’s playground.
This, he told the Limerick Post, is needed to meet the changing demographics and needs of children living in the area.
“I have submitted a notice of motion to the June meeting of the Metropolitan Council asking management to begin a search for a suitable site so that we can start the process of developing a playground and recreational amenity in the area,” he explained.
“We have witnessed in recent years a significant growth in population representing a 219 per cent increase from 5,934 in 1981 to 19,000 in 2022. Hundreds of new houses have been built with many new families and young children now living in Raheen and Dooradoyle.”
The City West representative said he is meeting parents and receiving regular requests for the provision of a new playground that can service the growing needs of the local community.
The recently published report on the potential to develop a new community centre for Raheen and Dooradoyle highlighted the lack of suitable playgrounds and recreational amenities for young children as the largest issue and concern from survey responses.
“The current playground located on the grounds of the Crescent Shopping Centre cannot meet the growing needs in terms of its physical size, the equipment available and the lack of accessible inclusive playing facilities for children with special needs.
“We cannot expect the playground in Mungret Park to cater for the needs of a growing population, with several hundred more houses due for construction in the Mungret area alone.
“As a council, we are about to undertake a complete redevelopment of the playground in the People’s Park, which I have supported and campaigned for and in more recent years the playground located on the grounds of Mungret College has been a welcome addition.
“We must continue to invest in community facilities and the significant investment in modern accessible playing equipment planned for the People’s Park must now be replicated in a new modern fit for purpose playground in the Raheen Dooradoyle area.” Cllr Leddin concluded.
