Work begins on Cratloe Woods playground

CHILDREN in Cratloe and the surrounding areas could be playing in a new playground at Cratloe Woods, costing in the region of €180,000, by the end of the summer.
Galway-based Nordon Landscape Limited recently started construction work at Spraoi Sa Choill, which is expected to take between six to eight weeks.
The landscaping company signed a contract with the Cratloe Community Playground Committee a few months ago. Children from Cratloe National School gave their suggestions for the new name, which translates into fun in the woods.
Clare County Council granted planning permission for the new playground at the entrance to Cratloe Woods from the Gallows Hill Road last year. The planning authority gave the green light despite a strong objection signed by 86 residents, who claimed the site was unsuitable, as it attracted a large amount of anti-social behaviour in the past.
While some residents were concerned about the possibility of anti-social behaviour, playground committee chairperson, Mary Foley told The Clare Champion she hadn’t seen or heard of this type of activity for a long time.
Ms Foley claimed no car in Cratloe Woods has been broken into in the last 12 months, thanks to additional garda patrols and that the increased presence of walkers and people engaged in recreational activities had acted as a deterrent to incidents of anti-social behaviour.
She said the provision of the new playground would be beneficial for the whole community, as it would help parents to get to know one another.
“It is great that this project is coming to fruition after all the hard work of the committee. There are 12 people on the community and the group is looking for volunteers to monitor the playground. Once the playground is finished, there will be a phone number for people to contact.
“The group is very happy with the overall design and it will provide a great fun place for children and the entire family,” she said.
The playground, which extends to over an acre, will use timber from the nearby wood. In addition to eco-friendly slides and swings, the playground will be mainly covered with bark mulch with some gravel paths. The natural slope in the playground is in keeping with what is there already.
Clare County Council provided a grant of €66,000, the Clare Local Development Company donated €97,000, while the local playground committee had to raise over €8,000 for the project.
Councillor P J Ryan, who is a member of the playground committee, welcomed the latest development in the provision of a new playground. Councillor Ryan said it was great to see construction work starting, which he felt would be a great addition to the parish once completed.