Mayfield area playground works may begin in 2024

PLANS to develop a playground in the Mayfield area look to be moving forward.

There have been repeated calls for a playground to be put in place in the locality, with a group of parents engaging with officials in recent months around developing the area near where Village United soccer team train in Lotabeg for such a facility.

A new report from officials at Cork City Council suggests that work on a playground project could begin later this year.

The document said that Parks and Recreation has engaged with local representation about a request to develop a park at the open space/pitch at Boherboy Road.

It said that a preliminary design, including potential play facilities, would need to be developed in conjunction with local groups, as well as Village United, who have a long-established pitch at the location.

“The timescale for the delivery of the preliminary design/site survey etc are dependent on the availability of staff resources to carry out this work. It would be anticipated that this project could commence later in 2024, with same being dependent on resources being available to work on this project,” it said.

The report noted that there is no capital funding in place to deliver the construction costs of this project and said that once the preliminary design is complete construction can then be estimated, at which point funding options can be considered.

Green Party Cork North East councillor Oliver Moran described the report as “a very positive development” saying “it’s the first real roadmap for the plan that sets out what needs to happen with timeframes. That really gives heart that this is something that could now finally get underway.”

He added: “There’s enormous demand for a playground of scale in the Mayfield area. This site is especially strategic because it’s at the southern tip of an area that is zoned for a North East regional park. That means what can begin as a small park and playground now could gradually develop into a regional park over time.

“Right now, the focus of the community is on a playground. Many parents I speak to find themselves having to travel to Glounthaune, where there’s an especially nice playground but it’s so far away. The idea of a playground like that for the Mayfield and Montenotte area is something parents really want.

“There’s been a stop-start to that campaign but the current group is committed. This report is a very positive development.”