New €180,000 Cratloe playground complete

OVER five years of planning, designing and fundraising were rewarded this week with the official completion of the new €180,000 Cratloe Community Playground.
Known as Spraoi sa Choill, contractors moved off site at Cratloe Woods on Tuesday and a final safety inspection is scheduled to take place this Friday.
Once safety standards are met, children will be able to play on the wide variety of eco-friendly equipment such as slides, climbing frame, sand area and zip line, which allows children to swing from one bar to the next.
Project designer, Lisa McKnight, has ensured the new playground fits in with the surrounding landscape by using Robinia wood throughout.
The seeds for the development were sown back in 2006 when Cratloe Community Council learned about playground grants being distributed by Clare County Council.
A new committee was established to embark on the difficult site selection process and during this period, Mary Foley took over as chairperson in March 2009. Ms Foley is delighted with the final product following years of hard work by the committee.
“The playground has turned out a lot better than anything we would have originally envisaged.
It blends in so wonderfully with the surrounding woodland, it’s as if it was always there.
“It will stimulate the senses for all who come to use the vast facilities available. It will be ideal for those coming to the woods for a walk with children to take a detour through the action-packed playground. Coilte have been very supportive of the efforts of the local committee.
“Lisa McKnight has outdone herself with the vision and imagination she has used in working with the children of the local national school, St John’s,” she said.
The construction contract for the playground was awarded to Galway-based Nordon Landscape Limited and children at Cratloe National School gave their suggestions for a new name, which translates into fun in the woods.
Clare County Council provided a grant of €66,000, the Clare Local Development Company donated €95,000 while the local playground committee raised over €8,000 last year with another €1,000 due in their coffers in the coming weeks.
The playground extends to over an acre and using timber from the nearby wood, it can accommodate a very large number of children.