Kernan Play Park

Overview

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council developed a Play Strategy in March 2017 to establish a framework that relates to the provision of fixed play and the development of non-fixed play, across the Borough.

At its core, the Play Strategy acknowledges that play is a natural and fundamental aspect of children and young people’s lives that supports growth and development across a range of developmental areas including:

• Physical and mental health and wellbeing.
• Social development.
• Intellectual growth and learning.
• Practical skills development.
• Personal resilience, and
• Establishing a connection to wider society and the community in which children live.

As part of the play strategy a 5 year Capital Play Development Programme (2018-2023) aimed at enhancing play value in established fixed play areas identified as most in need, filling geographical gaps in provision (providing it meets the criteria as set out in the Play Strategy i.e. 150 Children) and removing redundant fixed play areas and transforming the resultant sites for community use.

Why your views matter

As part of Council's Capital Development Programme a brand new Play Park will be built at Kernan with an investment of £100,000.00.

In our continuing effort to improve the quality of service provided by Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council, we are carrying out a survey to hear your views on the Play Park designated for the Kernan area.

Council is committed to its equality and good relations duties as set out under section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 and the Rural Need Act 2016 and as part of this consultation we would like to ensure that you/your organisation has every opportunity to express your view.

What happens next

Play Development have made a few changes to the design for Kernan Play Parks, following a number of request made through the consultation.

Please see attached the new design which Play Development will be progressing now to planning.

The changes include:

1. A 2m height fence around the play park as per a number of requests.  
2. Change of junior unit as per a number of requests for younger children and children with disabilities.
3. Change to the Springer.
4. Change to the Roundabout to accommodate two wheelchairs.

Suggestions not currently possible:

1. Location of the new play park.  This location was chosen by a number of Council Officers who have overall view of all activities on the site.
2. Closing the play park at night.  However, Play Development/Community Development can progress talks with the community about a SLA for closing of the park if a constituted group was formed by the community.  We have change the high fence and gate to accommodate this into the future.

There were also a number of request about the speed of traffic on the road which sit outside of what Play Development can progress but we have passed on to the appropriate authorities.  The children will not be able to run onto the road from the Play Park.

We would like to thank all those who taken part in this consultation process, for taking the time to have their say and give us their suggestions.