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County councils

Inclusive Play Spaces Emerge in Longford, Ireland with EUR379,170 Investment

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Minister Dara Calleary officially opened the pioneering special needs Sunflower playground in Longford Town and refurbished tennis and basketball courts at Higginstown Sports Complex in Granard, addressing the critical need for inclusive play spaces in County Longford. The special needs playground was made possible through a EUR379,170 investment from the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, matched by EUR42,130 from Longford County Council.

Key Takeaways:

  • The special needs Sunflower playground in Longford Town represents a transformative investment of EUR379,170 from the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, with an additional EUR42,130 from Longford County Council.
  • The playground addresses the urgent need for inclusive play spaces in County Longford, where approximately 850 autistic children and nearly 750 children registered under disability services previously had no adequately equipped playground.
  • The project emerged from a 2022 approach by Longford Special Needs Parents Group, supported by Longford Childcare Committee, Youth Reach, Teach Solas Centre for People with Disabilities, Airc Midlands, and numerous elected members.
  • The newly established connection to the Royal Canal Greenway near the Sunflower playground accommodates additional tree planting and increased open space provision.
  • The refurbished Granard tennis and basketball courts received EUR45,449.20 through the CLAR programme, matched by EUR27,519.95 from Longford County Council.
  • The comprehensive refurbishment of the Granard complex includes new fencing, pedestrian gates, tarmac surfacing, tennis nets, basketball nets, and court relining.

Statistics:

  • EUR379,170: Investment from the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht for the special needs Sunflower playground.
  • EUR42,130: Additional investment from Longford County Council for the play space.
  • 850: Approximate number of autistic children in Longford County.
  • 750: Approximate number of children registered under disability services in Longford County.
  • EUR45,449.20: Funding received through the CLAR programme for the Granard tennis and basketball courts.
  • EUR27,519.95: Matching investment from Longford County Council for the Granard complex refurbishment.

Sources:

  • "Minister Dara Calleary Officially Opens Special Needs Sunflower Play Facility in Longford Town" (online at longfordcoco.ie).
  • Press Release: "Longford County Council Celebrates Major Investment in Inclusive Play and Sports Infrastructure" (longfordcoco.ie, April 6, 2023).
  • "Longford Special Needs Parents Group" (longfordspecialneeds.co.uk).
  • "Longford Childcare Committee" (longfordchildcare.ie).
  • "Teach Solas Centre for People with Disabilities" (teachsolas.ie).
  • "Airc Midlands" (airc-midlands.org).

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