Play time! Fermanagh and Omagh investing in family fun

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council’s Play Park Strategy is enhancing multiple play parks across the District for the enjoyment of tens of thousands of children now and in the future – that was the message today as Councillor John McClaughry, Chair Fermanagh & Omagh District Council, looked ahead at the programme of works for Year 4 of the Play Park Strategy in 2024-2025.

“Play parks are fun and exciting places for children to play and learn, and they also play an important role in their physical development. The goal of Fermanagh and Omagh’s Play Park Strategy is to bring all Council play park facilities to Silver standard. The Council has exceeded this by enhancing the overwhelming majority of play parks to Gold standard, based on the Fields in Trust guidance. This level of achievement means that children across the district can enjoy high quality play facilities now and in the years to come. As well as raising the standards of the facilities and creating more opportunities for the children to have fun, we are also ensuring that our parks have accessible features, so children of all abilities can enjoy them.

“I am delighted at the progress the Council is making on delivery of the Play Park Strategy. We have invested more than £2.2m since 2021 upgrading 25 play parks across all areas as part of the Play Park Strategy 2030 including Queen’s Park in Lisbellaw, Rusheen in Garrison, Castle Park in Lisnaskea, St Davog’s on Belleek, Grange Park in Omagh, Ecclesville in Fintona and Fox Park, Drumnakilly. Ensuring that play facilities are vibrant, safe and engaging for our children is an important part of the Council’s work and one that we are fully committed to delivering.” said Cllr McClaughry.

Further play park upgrade works planned for the coming year include Old Rossory, Enniskillen; Cappagh Villas, Gortin; Gortview / Lisanelly, Omagh and Sally’s Wood, Irvinestown. In a number of other areas the Council is investing in the transformation of play parks to new open community spaces, such as planting gardens and green space for all ages, including Beechgrove in Killyclogher and Gortrush in Strule.

“I look forward to see the works completed at these play parks.  These works will see them upgraded to Silver or Gold, meaning children will have some of the very best parks around to play in” added Cllr McClaughry.