Villages unveil plans for play parks after surveys

Villages unveil plans for play parks after surveys

27 March 2013

THREE local villages have unveiled plans to develop new play parks in their communities.

The village committees of Dundrum, Kilcoo and Clough are now seeking funding for the play parks after receiving the backing of a Down Council committee.

The villages are now bidding for 75 per cent funding from the Down Rural Area Partnership and are hoping Down Council will provide the remaining 25 per cent.

The decision to seek new play parks came after a village plan was drawn up for each area. The plans included community surveys which overwhelmingly supported play parks as the top priority for each village.

Representatives from each village committee addressed the council’s Recreation and Community Services committee last week who unanimously supported their village plans.

Dundrum councillor Patrick Clarke said the completion of the plans marks many long hours of engaging and liaising with the local communities.

“I have been closely involved with Dundrum Village Association throughout the whole planning and consultation process. The committee in conjunction with Down District Council have now submitted a grant application to Down Rural Area Partnership (DRAP) for £100,000 to build a new play park in Dundrum.

“The committee carried out a lengthy consultation process last year and held numerous meetings, as well as consultation with statutory bodies, completion of a village survey, planning a community consultation event and the preparation of a socio-economic analysis of Dundrum.

“Residents were asked to give their priorities for the next five years which included a new play park as the number one priority, as well as a pedestrian crossing for Main Street, tidying of derelict buildings, provision of public toilets, traffic calming measures, actions to address flags, emblems and bonfires and the development of new businesses and shops for the village.

“The support by the Recreation and Community Services committee will allow Dundrum Village Association in the near future to provide a new play park in Dundrum village following funding approval from Down Rural Area Partnership (DRAP) and agreement between the council and the Housing Executive regarding land acquisition to build the play park.”