Residents call for new park to stay open longer

Residents call for new park to stay open longer

7 May 2014

CALLS have been issued for the opening hours of one of the district’s newest playgrounds to be extended.

Residents who live close to the facility adjacent to the Ballymote Sports Hall at the Killough Road in Downpatrick want the facility open for longer during week nights and at the weekend.

Residents and parents are concerned the Down Council facility closes at 4.30pm on a Saturday and at teatime on Sunday. They would also like weeknight opening hours extended beyond 9pm over the spring and summer months.

Residents have indicated they are willing to take responsibility for closing the facility at night and hope their offer will be accepted by local council officials.

Mrs. Eileen Gibney — who lives opposite the play park — said in addition to being used by locals, children attending nearby nurseries and Knockevin School also use the facility.

“The opening hours certainly need to be looked at. Closing the widely used play park on a Saturday afternoon and at teatime on a Sunday is not acceptable,” she explained.

Councillor Éamonn Mac Con Midhe has praised residents who have offered to open and close the playground so children in the area can maximise the opportunity to use it.

“People are concerned that with the long stretch in 

the evenings, the play park is closing early on Saturday and Sundays. Residents are prepared to open and close the play park themselves and hope Down Council will agree to such a move.”

Councillor Mac Con Midhe said the play park’s opening hours must be one of the first issues to be addressed by Down Council after this month’s local government election. He said the new playground was delivered as a result of the efforts of the Flying Horse Ward Community Forum which is also keen to see the facility’s opening hours extended.

Councillor Gareth Sharvin said the SDLP has been “working tirelessly” with the local community and Down Council to find a resolution to the ongoing issue of access to the Ballymote play park and helped secure longer opening hours over Easter and during Monday’s Bank Holiday.

He added: “Down Council must identify which of its departments has responsibility for the opening and closing of the play park. Once this issue is resolved, the community should have an input into determining the opening hours.”