Clooney park in place by March

Geraldine Harkin of Clooney Residents Association welcomed Derry City Council’s target completion date of March 2013 for the proposed £250k play park that received 100 per cent approval from residents of the estate when it was first mooted back in 2010.

Speaking to the Sentinel, Mrs Harkin said: “It’s definitely something the area needs. At the moment the only option is for children to travel down to the park in Bonds Street but parents would prefer to have a park in the area.”

“It will be brilliant to have it within the estate because at the moment even the space we have in the community centre is limited.”

Plans for the exciting new development in Lapwing Way were first revealed by the Sentinel two years ago when community leaders hoped the facility would be finished by 2012.

The area will be utterly transformed with proposals for a tree-lined amenity with playground, water/art feature and pergola, feature railing, seating, wet pour play surface for young children, swings, a slide, a balancing beam, reflective steel domes, a play dish spinner, a stroking stone animal and a roundabout featuring a little Big Ben.

A report before tomorrow’s meeting of the Derry City Council Environmental Services Committee will propose that a tender report be brought to a full council meeting in February to facilitate completion of the project by March.

Councillors will also be advised of the various contributors to the £250k fund for the community facility.

“Council has recently secured a commitment from the Department of Social Development (DSD) through Neighbourhood Renewal in the sum of £159,485. The letter of offer is forthcoming.

“Members will also recall that Clooney Residents Association have also secured previously secured £85,514 from Greencare (£75,514), Ulster Gardens (£5,000) and Garfield Weston Trust (£5,000).

“Therefore, the total capital budget secured is therefore £249,999 in line with previously advised estimates,” the report reads.

“Members were previously advised that Council would fund professional fees and any miscellaneous costs that may arise through the Parks Development Budget (2012-2013) to be agreed at a subsequent Committee when the tender prices are confirmed,” it adds.

A number of consultation initiatives were carried out with Clooney residents to ensure the new park had widespread popular support.

For example, residents received a hand delivered invite in November 2010 (280 households) inviting them to attend an open day to discuss the park plan.

The event was hosted by members of the Clooney Residents Association and Groundwork (NI) staff and although only 36 residents attended those who did loved the plans.

One hundred per cent if residents asked if the plans met their expectations said “yes.”

Nobody wanted the plans changed and residents thought the development good for children from the area to play on and said that it should be developed as soon as possible. It looks like they are about to get their wish with a new completion date of March 2013.

The proviso was offered, however, that the new park should be patrolled often and locked at night to prevent anti-social behaviour and one resident said they “would like to see somewhere for the younger boys to play football as the pitch is no good because of dog fouling and people with motorbikes.”