Official opening of The Downs playground on bank holiday Monday
In answer to the needs of the growing community in The Downs, a group of local ladies will celebrate the completion of their project on bank holiday Monday.
They have collaborated to create a playground, gym and recreational area for all ages and abilities.
It started in December 2021 with a casual conversation about playgrounds, and, through word of mouth, a group of like minded women came together to see if they could get the dream project off the ground.
After their first official meeting in January 2022, they formed a committee and agreed objectives.
They included a playground and outdoor recreational area, which would be inclusive, multigenerational and accessible for people with mobility and sensory issues.
Initially, the dream was to identify a suitable location, raise funds for equipment – which could be expanded over time with fundraising activities.
The group started with a public consultation led by the founding members, Carley Kelly, Sharon Crowley, Anne Marie Corroon, Kathy Garvey and Paula McCormack.
During that initial exploratory phase, the group met Mary Goldsberry and Dave Deering from the county council, who suggested a grant application through the Towns and Village scheme from The Department of Rural and Community Development.
The group took time to consider the equipment and design elements, and visited other playgrounds in the area for inspiration.
They contacted several playground specialists for quotes for playground equipment and outdoor gym equipment, and the enormity of the fundraising task ahead became apparent.
The group also needed to find the suitable site. In July 2022 Carley Kelly and Sharon Crowley approached The Downs GAA to ask them for a site, and after a few meetings, they generously agreed and what once was a basketball court turned car park became the site for the project.
The group also tackled the fundraising challenge and secured funding from the credit union and community action initiatives. The majority of the funds raised was through the successful and popular Trunk or Treat, held initially in October 2022 and again in 2023.
Those were magical events that highlighted the community spirit behind the project.
The events would not have been successful without the hard work and inspired visions of Niamh Murtagh.
The group also ran a successful raffle tying in with The Downs Westmeath Championship run of 2022 and an enjoyable Christmas table quiz night.
In December 2022, thanks to the representation of Peter Burke, TD, to Minister Heather Humphreys, the group secured the full grant amount.
With the necessary funding secured, the group meticulously planned and designed a playground to meet local needs. Planning permission was granted and in January this year, groundworks commenced.
The playground is now finished, and the group have announced the official grand opening for Monday March 18 at noon.
The group say they are delighted to have been able to deliver a space that incorporated their core values of inclusivity and sustainability in the heart of The Downs community.
“Over the course of two years, and due to our determination and belief in our project, we have turned our vision into a reality, and we will be eternally grateful to every single person who helped us along the way,” said Sharon Crowley.
Carley Kelly expressed thanks to The Downs community for their ongoing support, and their belief in the group. She also thanked the ladies on the committee “who have worked tirelessly on all the fundraising events we have run and in getting this fantastic project over the line”.
The group plan to continue to add to and improve the equipment.
The Downs Community Forum: Carley Kelly, Sharon Crowley, Anne Marie Corroon, Bernadette Martyn, Paula McCormack, Aoife Murphy, Kathy Garvey, Fionnuala Kenny, Niamh Murtagh, Aisling Walters.