Mitchelstown playground equipment confirmed for replacement and repair works
Replacement and repairs of some of the equipment in Mitchelstown playground is due in the near future, with a list of ‘to-do’ jobs being compiled at the moment. The information was confirmed this week after Cllr Deirdre O’Brien made the query to the district office.
When The Avondhu visited the playground on Tuesday evening, on an admittedly grey and fairly miserable evening, there were two groups of adults and children enjoying themselves, with a few ‘older’ children peacefully sitting in the toy car.
While some of the equipment is worn (hopefully through repeated use and many feet and hands!) parents on Tuesday did not think the playground equipment was a problem. However, one lady did admit that the playground near her, in Kilfinane, does get upgrades that might not seem necessary at the time, but that the new equipment is ‘brighter’ when it is replaced.
Some matting beneath the blue equipment in the corner is what Cllr O’Brien was specifically concerned with in Mitchelstown, as a potential trip hazard. The overhead zipwire also has visible rust, and some duct tape provides a temporary scaffold on one swing. The wooden roof of a playhouse looks a bit ‘tired’, but this is all general wear-and-tear, and so the works on the playground could be considered proactive and not in response to any specific vandalism.
One boy told The Avondhu that there was graffiti on the top of the slide too - but on the basis that the reporter is over the age of 18, it was not considered appropriate to investigate thoroughly by having a go on it.
The council confirmed that none of the equipment is dangerous and once the list of repairs and replacements is complete, a tender will be published for a contractor to do the work.
It was confirmed too at a meeting of Mitchelstown Community Council earlier this month that new fencing will be erected around the playground in the coming weeks. This will be higher than that presently in place, to deter night-time revellers.