Petition calls for play park

Residents in Tonagh present a petition asking for a new play park to Councillor Paul Porter.

The petition was started by three women and has attracted an impressive 530 signatures.

It will be brought before the new Lisburn and Castlereagh Council for councillors to consider.

Councillor Jenny Palmer said: “The campaign was organised by three local parents, Fiona, Beverley and Ruth, and they should be praised for their efforts. They positioned posters throughout the local shops and community areas asking residents to sign the petition.

“It is great to see parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles signing a petition to try and ensure that there is a dedicated safe play area for the young children of Tonagh.”

Alderman Paul Porter, chairman of the Council’s Leisure & Community Development Committee, said: “As a parent, I understand the importance of children developing skills such as socialising, which is an opportunity that community based play areas offer.

“I would thank Fiona, Beverley and Ruth for all their hard work in getting the Tonagh community on-board. I hope that when the petition is brought before the new council committee that there will be a positive response to this request.

“The former Lisburn City Council invested considerable time and money to ensure that there were community play areas throughout the whole area; and I would be an advocate of this local support continuing,”