Car Tourismo Banner
Home » Regional » Ennis » Local fears allayed with official Tim Smythe playground opening

Local fears allayed with official Tim Smythe playground opening

Car Tourismo Banner

Political spin... Councillor Peter Considine gives Ennis Mayor Tommy Brennan a trial run at the official opening of the Tim Smythe Park on Ennis. Photograph by Jphn Kelly			                          AT the opening of the new €240,000 state-of-the-art Tim Smythe Park playground this week, Councillor Peter Considine moved to allay the concerns of local residents after the playground became the scene for anti-social behaviour in recent months.
“The CCTV cameras are up and running and the lighting is well on its way… I’m sure it will settle down and the playground will benefit families from both inside and outside the town of Ennis. The vision of this is of a family orientated facility,” he said.
Councillor Considine, who performed the opening ceremony alongside then mayor of Ennis, Councillor Tommy Brennan, commented, “Like all projects, there are teething problems and initial fears and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff of Ennis Town Council who early on when the worries of local residents began to raise their heads, they went into an intensive consultation process. This process is ongoing and I think it has been very, very successful,” the councillor said.
The opening ceremony was appropriately conducted while children filled the playground, showcasing the facility’s popularity in the town. The blessing of the playground was performed by Fr Martin Blake and Canon Bob Hanna.
The original playground had been officially opened by Councillor Considine in 1984, who recalled, “When I opened the little park, it was very exciting. It was a state-of-the-art facility at the time but this is just wonderful.”
“This project has been in flow for quite a while and the comments generally have been fantastic. This facility has been designed as a whole family area, with areas for the toddler, to teenager to adult. It cost €240,000 and I think it’s a fair reflection on the initiatives taken by Ennis Town Council and local authorities generally that we get involved in community projects and produce and deliver projects such as this.”
“The play facilities have been provided by the council and supplement and enhance the sport and recreational facilities in Ennis. The council is proud of its achievements in recent years by the provision of playground facilities in Cloughleigh, Stonecourt, Lees Road Sports and Amenity Park and now these fabulous facilities at Tim Smythe Park.
“The importance of play and playgrounds in a child’s growth and development have been widely recognised. These facilities here cater for the youth of the town and have been an attraction for parents and children living outside of Ennis,” he said.
He thanked everybody involved in bringing the project to fruition, including Councillor Brennan who gave him the opportunity to officiate at the opening.
Town clerk Eddie Power described the opening as a “very special occasion” before acknowledging those involved in the project, with special mention to Michael Dinan, the caretaker of the park.
Ennis Town Council entered into a contract with the Crawford Group in January 2011 for the provision of the new playground facilities at Tim Smythe Park.
Speaking at the official opening Councillor Brennan said “The provision of playground facilities at Tim Smythe Park is appropriate having regard to the playground’s location at the centre of the town and its established use by many families. The new facilities are recognition by the Council of the importance of play and playground facilities in the lives of children”.
“It is encouraging to see such investment by a public authority at a time of economic recession. I would like to compliment my fellow councillors for their vision and indeed the management staff of the council for developing and overseeing the provision of these facilities which will benefit the community for many years,” he added.
The playground is designed to provide universally accessible, imaginative and interactive play. There are three play areas. The 0-12 years area has a variety of equipment including swings, a parrot see saw, a spring rocker, roundabout, and a huge play Odyssey tower. A rope net climbing structure, cable runway, drop shot and a trim trail are just some of the facilities of the teen play area while the adult exercise area will incorporate exercise for all abilities. 
Wet pour safety surfacing in a variety of colours, shapes and incorporating the use of play elements also have been installed over the complete area of the playground. The scheme has been complemented by CCTV and a public lighting scheme, as well as a pedestrian crossing at the northern end of Tim Smythe Park leading to the relocated playground.

About News Editor

Check Also

Council accused of a ‘cheap job’ on Hermitage Road

RESIDENTS of one of Ennis’ most historic housing estates have been left “hugely disappointed” with …