The number of publicly accessible playgrounds in Westmeath has risen from three in 2004 to 23 at the moment, with another five to follow before the end of 2011, members of the county council were told at its monthly meeting this week.
These figures were revealed by Cllr Joe Whelan as he presented a draft collection of bylaws issued for the management and protection of these playgrounds within the county.
“These are an essential asset to society, unfortunately anti-social behaviour is never far away,” said Cllr Whelan.
“These bylaws are needed to protect and manage the playgrounds”.
He explained how the increase in playgrounds over the last six years had been as a direct result of the launch of the national play policy in 2004 for the specific promotion of said facilities.
The bylaws have already been out for public consultation over recent weeks and no submissions were received from the public, the meeting was told.
Praising council official Maurice Stenson for his work in putting together the draft bylaws, Cllr Whelan noted that “where playgrounds are owned by communities there is less anti-social behaviour”.
Cllr Denis Leonard suggested that, in the face of increasing childhood obesity, the council should look for more than 28 playgrounds around the county.
He also took a moment to wag a finger at recent planning and development policies that allowed “four developers in Kinnegad who built hundreds of houses and weren’t obliged to leave a postage stamp for recreation”.
On the issue of increasing the number of community-led playgrounds around the county, Cllr Colm Arthur pointed out “there are Leader funds available for community development that’s not being drawn down”. He went on to point out, however, that none of these funds could be made available unless there was a firm undertaking from the community group that it would do all the work.
“It’s not easily got, but we’ll help you all the way,” said Cllr Arthur.
The draft bylaws, which can be viewed on the county council’s website, were adopted by the members.
