Teethingproblemsatnew playgroundwillbesolved

A LARGE crowd turned out at the new playground in Kilcoole last Thursday for its official opening.

There was a great atmosphere at the event, which included live music, popcorn and ice-cream, and a blessing by Fr John Daly and Rev William Bennett.

Cllr Tom Fortune said that place looks fabulous, and is a great size at around one acre. ‘ The kids are delighted,’ he said.

He said that there are a number of snags, which will be dealt with promptly.

He said that the grass didn’t really take due to weather conditions, and there have been some parking issues.

Wicklow County Council is looking into both matters.

There will be a bin provided by the council and, going forward, having litter in the area won’t be tolerated. Other improvements to come include seating in the playground and signage in the area.

The Little Tern Playground was 12 years coming and followed a campaign by the dedicated KAPS (Kilcoole Area Play Space) committee.

The committee raised more than €120,000 for the facility.

In his speech last Thursday evening, Cllr Fortune said that the adults in the community will keep an eye on the place and help to ensure its proper use.

He thanked Pat Doyle and his family for the donation of the site.

The Kilcoole Thrift Shop have made a donation of €5,000 to the KAPS committee, raised at the village shop.

A resident of Kilcoole whose children have used the playground said that she was disappointed that the playground was muddy due to the lack of grass.

‘ They came home filthy and muddy,’ said the woman, who did not wish to be named.

‘It was meant to be opened in January, then February, then got opened in May. It was opened in an awful state. There were stones and rocks on the site and sticks in the ground.’

She suggested that there should be a barrier between the path and the road where children exit and enter the playground.

The woman said that since the opening of the playground there had been motorists parking on grass verges, up on the kerb, and on the roundabout.

There was also a report of a dirty nappy and wipes discarded in the park.

In a display of community spirit, one local dad and his children took to the park at the weekend to clean up all the litter.

Committee members Tom Fortune, Aileen Quaide, Sarah Donnelly, Nicola Devlin, Jill Finnerty, Jennifer O’Hara and Gemma Darby.

Zoe Kenneally, Izzie Parker, Jake Keneally, Layla Keneally and Ruby Parker.

Cllr Jennifer Whitmore, cathaoirleach of Greystones Municipal District, cuts the ribbon to officially open the Little Tern Playground.

Grace Bennett, Aibhe Carey, Brandon Carey, Mia Carey and Aoife Ryan.

Mud at the Little Tern playground.

Rose McCarthy trying the swing at the grand opening.