Galway to benefit from Summer of Play initiative, says O’Reilly
Galway to benefit from the €6million in funding for outdoor play as announced by Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, T.D.
Speaking about the fund, Green Party Senator Pauline O’Reilly said she is delighted that funding will be allocated for a ‘We-go-swing’ for Salthill Playground, and a sensory garden for the Millennium Playground”.
She went on to say “for too long children with disabilities have been excluded from play or only had one piece of equipment within a playground that was accessible.”
“With the installation of a ‘We-go-swing,’ children with disabilities can now play side by side with their friends and siblings. This is very much welcomed” Sen O’Reilly continued. “Spending time outdoors not only protects against Covid infection, but it is also healthier for our mental and physical health”.
The Summer of Play initiative supports and encourages children and their families to get outside and play as restrictions ease in the coming months. The initiative will see grants, supports and information resources rolled out over the summer months, creating opportunities for children and their families to enjoy a summer of play.
Digital map of council cycle parking locations welcomed by Galway Cycling Campaign
Galway Cycling Campaign has warmly welcomed the news that a longed-for digital map of Galway City Council’s cycle parking provided within the city will be made available on the council’s website next week.
As the Outdoor Summer kicks off, this will be a terrific source of knowledge to people who have recently started riding their bikes to shops, playgrounds, pitches and beaches, and are less familiar with cycle parking locations.
“The last part of your journey is parking your bike - but not knowing where you can safely and conveniently park can deter you from choosing to hop on the saddle to a shop, café, or business service,” said Kevin Jennings, chairperson.
“There is clear evidence to show that cycle parking brings real benefits to businesses. The retail spend per square metre for cycle parking is five times higher than the same area for car parking.”
“There’s a bike boom across the city with people of all ages and abilities cycling everyday. And with cycle parking too.”
“We’ve noticed lots of new racks at playgrounds across the city, outside shops like O’Connor’s Centra in Salthill, Face Hairdressers on Sea Road, near Eyre Square, and in the heart of the city such as outside Sally Longs on Upper Abbeygate Street,” said Mr Jennings.
“Galway Cycling Campaign created a crowd-sourced map of cycle parking. We’re delighted that a professional map by the council will be available to all residents and visitors to the city. We know that there are hundreds more cycle parking spaces available now than this time last year, thanks to new active travel funding from the government.”
“A map of all the council-provided cycle parking in the city will be a huge asset for residents, visitors and businesses for this Outdoor Summer.”
