Lots of fun and excitement at official opening of Bunclody playground

THERE was huge excitement when the newly renovated playground in Bunclody Community Park was officially opened by minister Dara Calleary after five years of campaigning and fundraising by Bunclody Recreational Committee.

It’s been a long journey for the tenacious committee which was founded in 2021 to campaign for the playground’s renovation.

Initially, they fundraised through raffles, sponsorships and donations from local businesses and events like table quizzes, from which they raised over €70,000.

They also lobbied ministers and worked with local TDs and councillors to secure government funding for the redevelopment. Eventually, they were given a €249,999 grant from the ***Rural Towns and Villages Scheme***.

However, even after they secured funding there was much bureaucracy for the committee to wade through, which took the form of planning permission and putting the project out to tender.

“The chairperson Natasha FitzGerald and I were having weekly meetings about the project at this point,” Sara Halpin, treasurer of the committee, said.

Eventually, Garden Escapes, one of Ireland and the UK’s leading contractors for playgrounds and outdoor spaces, was chosen for the project.

Building finished last December and the playground has been open to the public since then with its official opening taking place in July. In addition to the upgraded playground structures, the project also saw the creation of a sensory garden and community park with a green space.

However, the work of Bunclody Recreational Committee is far from complete as Sara revealed that they are fundraising alongside the Leader Development Project to renovate the adjacent bike path and skate park facilities.