New Mayfield playground to open with plans for another nearby

A new playground in Mayfield is set to open this week, and there are plans underway for another playground nearby.

Play equipment has been purchased and is awaiting installation for a new playground in the Silversprings area, after an initial location at the Village Pitches in Lotabeg was found unsuitable.

The new playground is focussed on natural play and has been installed at Tinker’s Cross Park, which was opened last year after a €100,000 investment through the Community Recognition Fund.

Green party councillor Oliver Moran told The Echo: “Demand for new playgrounds in the Mayfield area is enormous.

“This is one location we’ve been able to bring forward with a focus on natural play and using the park environment. I think it blends in really well with the park, and as soon as the fencing comes down, I hope children will start enjoying it straight away.”

He added: “We’ve also purchased play equipment to install a new playground in the Silversprings area too.

“We were hoping to locate that initially at the Village Pitches, but that was unsuitable when it was examined more closely.”

The project is funded from the same €100,000 investment from the Community Recognition Fund as Tinker’s Cross Park.

In November 2024, Cork City Council officials confirmed that a new playground at the village pitches was in design and said they hoped to move toward procurement in the first quarter of 2025.

In April this year, the council said that the playground “has been delayed due to weather and difficulty of accessing the site”, but that the project was on track for delivery in the third quarter of this year.

Mr Moran said that after the location had been ruled out: “Officials are working now with community groups and examining other potential sites there. Depending on the location, that will involve both traditional play equipment and maybe a small learn-to-cycle track like there is for children at Grattan Hill.”

Overall, he said there is “a big turnaround from where we were a few years ago.

“The proposed new park at Glanmire will also include playgrounds, including potentially an area for teenage play.

“Encouraging young people to do more outdoors, to use their natural imaginations, and places where families can go together, that’s the overall aim.”