This page provides a current update for the project to build a new playground in Carbury.
STATUS: ONGOING
FUNDING COMMITTED: €1,500 - Parks Staff 2019
€300,000 - KCC Capital Programme 2020-2022*
TOTAL FUNDING: €301,500
*€150,000 allocated for Derrinturn and Carbury separately
SUMMARY: A playground committee was formed in 2019 and is currently looking at potential sites with a view to securing a suitable location.
TIMELINE
2008
The Derrinturn Local Area Plan for 2008 discusses the need for a playground in the growing village.
January 2015
In response to a motion put forward by Cllr. Daragh Fitzpatrick in the Maynooth MD monthly meeting, asking the council to engage with residents in Derrinturn regarding a future playground, the minutes state:
Arrangements had been made to meet the residents regarding the playground in Derrinturn in the next two weeks. However the progression of the playground was contingent on agreeing the site for the facility, how it will be financed and the staff resources to facilitate progressing the project given the various commitments across the county in 2015.
Consideration is also needed from the elected members regarding the sequencing of the provision of amenity and recreational facilities in the municipal area. Over the past few years representations have been made for the provision for playgrounds in Timahoe, Prosperous, Derrinturn, Carbury and Allenwood. It will not be possible to deliver these simultaneously within the resources available.
October 2016
In response to a motion put forward by Cllr. Daragh Fitzpatrick in the Maynooth MD monthly meeting, asking the council to engage with the relevant people in Derrinturn regarding finding a site for the playground, the minutes state:
The Parks department are in communication with community members in Derrinturn regarding the development of a playground. This item will remain on the progress report for the November meeting when members will receive a further update.
The Parks Section of Kildare County Council engaged with local community representatives but could not definitively secure a site for a playground.
2017
The Derrinturn Local Area Plan 2017-2023 states that it is an objective of the council to “Facilitate the provision of open space and amenity areas including a playground facility in the town.”
2018
Kildare County Council publish the 2018 – 2028 Kildare Play Strategy which proposes a new playground in Derrinturn.
March 2019
Brendan Wyse speaks with local community representatives about the possibility of a site being provided for a future playground. A number of potential sites are identified and assessed using criteria such as area, security and cost.
3rd April 2019
Brendan Wyse hosts a public meeting in Carbury GAA where he presents the potential sites and recommends that one site in particular is pursued by the community.
A new Carbury Playground Action Group is formed and a committee and officers are elected. See Carbury Playground Action Group.
4th April 2019
The secretary of Carbury Playground Action Group writes to a local community group asking them to consider donating a piece of land for the playground.
28th September 2019
Cllr. Brendan Wyse and the secretary of Carbury Playground Action Group meet with the development committee of the local community group to discuss the potential donation of the piece of land. A number of concerns are raised by the representatives and they are asked to consider to meet with a member of staff from the Parks Section of Kildare County Council.
18th November 2019
The Capital Programme for 2020 – 2022, presented at full council meeting, outlines a projected budget of €300,000 for playgrounds in Derrinturn and Carbury.
29th November 2019
The Playground Action Group are notified that the potential site within the grounds of a local community group will not be made available. Cllr. Brendan Wyse indicates that the group will begin to look elsewhere for a site.
17th June 2020
Cllr. Brendan Wyse asks Kildare County Council to prepare a list of public spaces in Derrinturn that could potentially be used to build a playground, with a view to getting community feedback on those sites.
3rd July 2020
In response to the motion by Cllr. Brendan Wyse, the Parks Section of Kildare County Council state that no public spaces in Derrinturn are suitable for a playground and that they are dependent on the co-operation of other community organisations to identify a suitable space for one.
