New play park opened in Glen

The Glen Play area was officially opened by Mayor Colum Eastwood, on Thursday afternoon.

The park represents an investment of 243,000 in the Glen area of the city, thanks to funding of 150,000 through the DSD's Outer West Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership, 50,000 from Derry City Council's Parks Development Programme and 43,000 through the Greencare Northwest Programme.

The scheme was designed and managed by Groundwork NI through the Greencare Northwest Programme and its completion marks a significant boost for the local community in the Glen area.

The Mayor welcoming the investment said it was an example of a very successful partnership project between various statutory agencies.

"This initiative has come about following years of successful partnership engagement with key agencies across the city to bring modern and much needed play facilities for people in the Glen area of the city, I am delighted that this project has been completed and that young families from the Glen are now able to enjoy state of the art play facilities at their doorstep.

"It marks a significant investment in the Glen area that will benefit the entire community."

Social Development Minister, Alex Attwood said: "The provision of this high quality play area has created an attractive, safe and sustainable environment for local children and young people.

"The significant sum of 150,000 demonstrates my Department's commitment to improving the quality of life for people living in disadvantaged areas.

"My Department supports Derry City Council's work to develop this new play park in the Glen area.

"It demonstrates, yet again, the commitment of DSD to neighbourhood renewal this and in coming years.

"Neighbourhood Renewal is a flagship programme. It will be funded. It is a programme best delivered through DSD working with other departments and with the community.

"Without this process, the programme is elitist and exclusive – principles that serve Derry and Northern Ireland badly."

Commenting on the initiative Glen Development Initiative (GDI) Manager Maeve Mc Laughlin said: "This is a major investment in Glen area which has suffered in terms of weak community infrastructure and has been neglected in terms of youth provision for many years.

"The area adjacent to the park has 1 in 3 under 16 years and the Glen area has the highest amount of 14 year olds in the area defined as outer west (Glen, Rosemount, Hazelbank and Ballymagraorty).

"This completes the site and marks a major investment in the children and young people in the area.

"I am absolutely delighted that all of the hard wok behind the scenes has paid off and we can now see the capital investment in the community.

"I wish to thank all of our funders, DSD, Derry City Council, Greencare NW, IFA ,NIHE , local residents, Estate Services and Glen Youth Forum for all their help and support in making this project a reality.

"I would like to particularly acknowledge the work carried out by Karen Kirkegaard from Greencare NW and Paul Mc Gonagle ( local resident) for their invaluable role during site construction.

"This investment has successfully brought a sense of ownership to the whole community and we look forward to seeing additional investment for this area of the city," she commented.