Westmeath has 48 new playgrounds in 22 years

In the last 22 years, 48 playgrounds have been provided in Westmeath, and as of October 2025, there are 50 playgrounds in the county, 30 maintained by Westmeath County Council, and the remainder management company or community-owned.

More may be developed, as Mullingar falls short of the council target of one playground per 2,000 population, though it has six, according to the county’s new playground policy for 2025-2028.

Circulated to members of Westmeath County Council at the December meeting, the document identifies need at Ardilaun, Greenpark, Lakepoint and Petitswood areas. Also listed as in need of playgrounds are Tyrrellspass, Raharney, Ballinagore, Glasson/ Tubberclair/ Ballykeeran, Ballinalack, Finea and Milltown/ Rathconrath.

Any local group that secures a site for a playground, and manages to obtain Leader funding, “will be supported by Westmeath County Council”, director of services for housing, Jackie Finney, said.

Cllr David Jones felt the council should send the relevant minister a map of the Clár areas in Westmeath, ask if can be expanded to use for playground projects such as Raharney, while Cllr Niall Gaffney was keen to see if an assessment could be done of the need for new equipment at some existing playgrounds.

Cllr Denis Leonard expressed the view that every playground should have disability-friendly equipment, including a wheelchair swing and a sensory area, and Cllr Frankie Keena enquired how many playgrounds the council would be able to fund-assist under the 2026 budget.

Responding to the points raised, Ms Finney said that in the document, there was a key focus on inclusion and ensuring that playgrounds are accessible and that there is equipment for children of all ages, abilities, backgrounds. She said the two districts would have applied for funding for upgrades to particular playgrounds.