Support for Kilfennan Valley Park project

The agreement of the final Masterplan for the park follows a three stage public consultation that found almost 100 per cent of people asked about the park thought the existing facilities were either ‘poor’ or ‘very poor.’

Initially, Groundwork (NI) undertook face-to-face meetings with 60 relevant stakeholders who were unanimous that the play area, car parking, changing and toilet facilities were ‘poor’ or ‘very poor.’

Subsequently, a questionnaire was sent to 720 houses within a defined catchment area in the vicinity of the park.

Although a low response rate of 8.9 per cent was received 98 per cent of respondents rated the existing facilities as ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’ and the new grass pitch was the only facility rated as ‘excellent’ or ‘very good.’

The toddlers play area was described as unsafe, the junior area as mucky and flooded, and the lack of lighting and problems associated with broken glass, dog fouling and the uneven nature of paths associated with Maggie Murphy’s lane were flagged.

The three top suggestions for improvement from respondents to the questionnaire were the need for a seated area, play ground for all ages and a floodlight MUGA/all weather pitch.

Ultimately, a public information session hosted by the Caw Nelson Drive Action Group (CNAG) and Groundwork (NI) in October to allow residents view the proposals was attended by 35 people.

According to Derry City Council documents “there is very strong support from the wider community to progress with the proposed designs.”

The Masterplan proposes “new vehicular and segregated pedestrian entrance/s into the park to DRD Roads Service standards with associated sight-lines and raised table for traffic calming on Kinsale Drive.”

There will be provision of “on site car-parking (24 spaces) in line with DRD Roads Service requirements and lighting of same for user safety” and “new play provision to cater for both toddler and junior play within a secure and gated facility to the highest standard in line with recently provided new play environments across the City and district.”

There will also be provision of “state-of-the art 7 a-side floodlit Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) facility (2G) to a recognised standard (37m x 67m) that can be subdivided into three 5 a-side pitches also to a recognised and approved standard.”

Other plans included the provision of connecting paths that are lit for safer use, a future building to cater for changing/toilets provision and other community uses and a softening of the planned developments through avenue tree planting.

A Groundwork (NI) Senior Landscape Support Officer has estimated the total cost of the development at £788k.

At a recent meeting of Derry City Council’s Environmental Services Committee it was recommended that Council approve the designs for the Kilfennan Valley Park Play/Muga provision and associated facilities subject to the successful outcome of a planning application.

The committee also agreed that a planning application be submitted to obtain the necessary statutory approvals at the earliest opportunity; and that officers work in partnership with the CNDAG to identify and secure the necessary funding to advance and deliver the project on a phased basis.