Calls for review of maintenance and upkeep of children's playgrounds across Longford

Councillor Sean Mimnagh has asked Longford County Council for a review of the current maintenance and upkeep schedules of public playgrounds around the county. 

The Leas Cathaoirleach of Ballymahon Municipal District put forward the motion at the November meeting of Longford County Council. 

The motion reveals that "the review should include but not be limited to, grass cutting, hedge trimming, and power washing to ensure that all facilities are maintained to a high standard, providing safe, clean and welcoming environments for both children and parents across the county." 

Proposing the motion, Councillor Mimnagh stated, "First off, I'd like to thank the community development staff for their maintenance of the playgrounds but they can only do so much, lawn cutting has been a particular issue, when a lawnmower breaks down then it isn't replaced so the council needs to start looking after this." 

He also put forward the suggestion of "exploring the possibility of collaborating with the Community Employment (CE) schemes to get more workers involved to help the maintenance become more viable." 

Longford currently has the second highest ratio of playgrounds per person in the country after Dublin so their maintenance was a pressing issue for the councillors throughout the discussion of the motion.

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Cllr Seamus Butler said, "We've had a programme in place for a number of years in the urban areas of Longford, as often there's a certain amount of abuse towards the upkeep of the playgrounds which is primarily carried out by adults." 

Cllr Mick Cahill echoed the sentiments saying, "It's a very good motion, they need plenty of upkeep because not everybody respects the playgrounds like they should." 

Councillor Martin Skelly stated, "I commend the notice of motion on the playground, it's so important to have them in safe and proper conditions at all times for parents and their kids." 

Speaking in support of the motion, Cllr Paul Ross commented, "I'd like to acknowledge the motion and it's great that we have the second highest proportion of playgrounds in the country but they need to be constantly maintained." 

Cllr Colin Dalton reiterated the need for more resources adding: "It's a great motion, we have absolutely fantastic playgrounds in this county but there needs to be funding in place for mowers and strimmers in order to keep them looked after. 

A representative from the Community Development Department, which looks after playgrounds in Longford, outlined the current situation regarding their maintenance in a response to the motion by Cllr Mimnagh. 

"There are 26 playgrounds and 3 outdoor gyms being maintained by Longford County Council and an independent report is arranged at the start of each year which prioritises the maintenance issues in each playground to ensure our playgrounds are deemed safe from a health and safety standpoint," read the reply. 

Councillors were also informed that a maintenance contractor has been procured for maintenance work looking after various issues such as replacing broken swings, new bearings, broken springs and new wet pour surface installation amongst other things. 

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The reply, also stated that other maintenance works such as grass cutting, hedge trimming and power washing are required in a limited number of playgrounds around the county. 

These works are carried out by local community groups, CE schemes and Longford County Council outdoor staff where resources are available.

The response to Councillor Mimnagh's motion concludes: "While the cost of the playground maintenance has increased significantly in recent years, the council will review the areas highlighted to ensure that these are included on the maintenance schedule on a priority basis each year."