Reply - M 3

That the Manager would present a report on the current status of the provision of playgrounds in Balgaddy and an update on the site meeting on the 5th of October. In light of the extreme dissatisfaction expressed by members of the Balgaddy Working Together Group at the Meet Your Local Politicians Forum in the Council Chambers on 27th of September, I wonder if their concerns in relation to the provision of playgrounds were addressed at the site meeting.

Significant works have taken place on the development of the parkland at Balgaddy in the past year. Large mounds of soil which marred the views from the south of Balgaddy towards the mountains and facilitated the dumping of rubbish and anti social behaviour have been removed, recycled or relocated. Low walls have been built around the park; replacing the palisades and hoarding which existed there. An open drainage ditch which ran the length of the park was filled in. The area has been seeded with grass and wild flowers and a management regime has been put in place that will aid their establishment. Results are already visible and this will further improve over time.

Footpaths have been built which are widened out to plazas at areas of high usage; such as along Balgaddy Road and at Méile an Rí. These footpaths link the communities and have resulted in a safer environment for local people. A good quantity of well-formed trees has been planted. A multi-use games area was installed which is proving highly popular and is well used.

The project was extended to install CCTV, remove the mounds to the south of Foxdene and also to clear a site for use as a community garden; these were implemented at the request of the local residents.

As requested at the September meeting of the Committee, a site meeting was held with local elected representatives (Cllrs Kenny and Gilligan attended), representatives from the Balgaddy Working Together Group and officials from the Council on 5^th October at the park in Balgaddy.

A verbal report on progress being made on the remaining works to complete the park as follows:

A playground for junior and older children; (toddlers - 12 years) is under construction in the central area of the park. The playground will incorporate a good range of equipment and seats for parents / accompanying adults. Work has commenced on site on Monday the 3^rd of October. This is two weeks behind the projected starting date; however the contractor will endeavor to make up lost time.
The grass seeding and wildflower areas are at snagging stage and the contractor is commencing a top dressing régime to the grassed areas.
A contractor has been appointed to implement a grass cutting and weed control regime which commenced in September and both will address the concerns of the residents in relation to the grass areas.