Natural playground opens at Hanover Park

DESPITE the cold weather, kids dug into the sandpit at Hanover Park playground in Carlow town on Friday afternoon.

The ribbon was cut on the new natural playground on the Kilkenny Road by mayor of Carlow, Paul Doogue earlier that morning.

Ciaran Brennan, a technician for Carlow town council, said that the opening was the “culmination” of four years of upgrades to Hanover Park, that transformed it from a site of anti-social behaviour to its present open and child-friendly area.

The upgrades were inspired by his meeting Eugene Walsh, the security guard for Penneys next door, who voluntarily maintained the park area for years. Mr Brennan said that there was talk for a while of the park being sold to Penneys to expand their development, but he was glad that “Carlow got it back”.

In designing the park, Mr Brennan said that they consulted with students from Scoil Mhuire gan Smál and “tried to be as inclusive as possible”. He noted that studies have shown how girls often do not feel welcome in parks, so the council tried to get their input in the design stages as much as possible. Parking spaces for wheelchair users, an open classroom and active travel markings were also put in.

Attending the opening were minister Jennifer Murnane O’Connor, deputy Natasha Newsome Drennan, students and teachers from Scoil Mhuire gan Smál’s green school’s initiative, local councillors and Carlow County Council chief executive Coilín O’Reilly. The building of the park began in July but was delayed by poor weather and delivery of the equipment.

A few hours after the opening, Shauna and Darragh Foley arrived with their two daughters, wrapped up in scarves and hats to fend off the cold. Isla, their two-year-old, was "already getting her hands dirty” building sandcastles.

“We’ve been looking forward to it opening, we always pass by on our morning walks,” said Ms Foley.

They were impressed by the range of activities and the design of the playground, which was built with natural materials rather than brightly painted metal. “There’s sensory bits for kids of all ages”, added Ms Foley.

“It’ll be the favourite park for everyone now”, said Mr Foley. “No other park has a sandpit”.

Oak Park playground is currently getting a spruce up, and Graigecullen park was upgraded last year, so Carlow has “three top of the range playgrounds now”, said Mr Brennan. "The kids will be well catered for.” Members of the public did express concern as to whether the park will be maintained going forwards.

“When you put in the facilities and activities, good people come in”, said Mr Brennan. There will be staff in every morning to inspect the facilities, and the council is planning to install gates in the new year to prevent damage to the park.

“Hopefully the public will look after it too”, he said. “It’s a great asset to the town.”