Parents criticise Cork City Hall over playground U-turn
Last year, city officials turned down the fundraising offer from parents in Bishopstown to secure the playground, plans for which were first drawn up in 2008.
They were told fundraising was not necessary because the council fully funds its own playgrounds.
However, the public funding never materialised and there is still no guarantee that money will be ring-fenced in the 2017 budget either. However, after a meeting in City Hall last week, officials told residents to consider fundraising again, and they will try to match it with public funds.
The playground, which is earmarked for a site in Murphy’s Farm, will cost an estimated €250,000 with another €250,000 required for improvements to access roads and parking facilities.
Playground committee member Aoife O’Sullivan said while they welcomed officials’ commitment and support, a substantial amount of money could have been raised if their initial fundraising offer was accepted last year.
“It’s annoying because we are now 11 months behind that schedule,” she said.
Another committee member, Hillary McNarama, said people feel let down.
“They [City Hall] told us last year that Bishopstown playground was a priority but we can see by the inaction since that it really wasn’t,” she said.
Local councillor Thomas Moloney also criticised the failure to secure public funding.
Former Ireland and Munster rugby star, Donncha O’Callaghan, the Unicef sporting ambassador who was raised in Bishopstown, has backed the parents’ campaign to secure the amenity.
