This article is from page 74 of the 2008-10-14 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 74 JPG
IT seems the community that plays together stays together, as the com- munity spirit in Ballynacally has all hands on deck to build a new play area in the Fairgreen.
Plans have already been drawn up, planning permission secured and a 66,000 council grant ready to draw upon.
Ballynacally Development now has to fundraise for the play area, and have it completed before the Tidy Towns judging in June.
James Maher from the develop- ment group said work is due to begin
on the project in February. The play area 1s to be built into a portion of the Fairgreen.
“It is architecturally designed to blend in with the natural environ- ment including the trees. It will not be visible from the road,’ said Mr Maher.
“Tt will provide a play area for chil- dren and enhance the presentation of the Fairgreen from a tidy town’s per- spective,’ he said.
Mr Maher explained that one of the goals of this project was to ensure that it could not impact negatively on the character of the Fairgreen.
“We have some nice gentle play
equipment for under the trees, there is no bright garish play equipment,’ he said.
Some of the equipment chosen for the area also has an educational NEVO Cop
Parents and other adults are not forgotten in this project, as some out- door adult exercise equipment will also be included.
While using this equipment parents can keep a watchful eye on their chil- dren playing.
The planned play area is part of an ongoing major project in the village.
It is envisaged that a water area, wooden sculpture and sitting area
will also be provided on the Fair- ato te
“We are also setting up a heritage trail as part of the tidy towns,” said Mr Maher.
Paradise House, which was once owned by the Henn family, will also become part of this trail as will what is considered one of the last working forges in the country.