Kids flocked to enjoy new Headford playground

By DAVID BURKE SCORES of children rushed to be first to enjoy the swings and roundabouts of Headford's new playground on Sunday. In bright sunshine the little ones ventured on to the brightly-coloured slide at one end, while at the other the climbing rope frame and a higher barred slide were tackled by the older children. It was a remarkable ending to a long campaign which started in 2005 when Fenella Carey and some friends decided it was time that Headford had a proper play area. [private] They started a group called HAPI (Headford Area Playground Initiative) and made contact with Cllr Mary Hoade, and began the formal process of local authority canvassing and fundraising. After many sites were tested and many church gate collections completed, HAPI still had not found a proper home for the playground. Late in 2010 an informal approach was made to Shane O'Reilly of Moyne Villa FC to see if it was possible to locate the playground in the Presentation Grounds behind the Church. Moyne Villa had plans to build an amenity walkway around one of its pitches and immediately decided that the combination of a playground and amenity walk made sense. Shane O'Reilly and Tom Walsh of Moyne Villa set about the process, with great help from Cllr Hoade, of investigating the potential funding routes and quickly decided that the project was feasible. Planning permission was applied for in January 2011, granted in May 2011 and funding was secured around the same time. The project was completed and formally opened on Sunday November 27. State funding was secured from both Galway Rural Development and the County Council. Local funding was provided by the Headford District Association, the Headford Development Association, HAPI, Headford Eco Park Development and Moyne Villa. A shortfall of €40,000 remained and Moyne Villa co-ordinated a fundraising draw to raise the money. The final figure raised after an intense five-week period was €39,000. Fundraising included a house to house collection in the Headford catchment area, which ranges from Kilmaine to Corrandulla-Annaghdown and from Caherlistrane to Claran. Collections were also conducted outside retail businesses in Headford with very positive results. Sponsors of prizes for a draw were Road Maintenance Services, McHale Engineering, the Anglers Rest Hotel, Drs Alan and Val Costello, CMCC Financial Services, Bridge Signs, Joyce's Supermarket and Joyce's Hardware. At the opening on Sunday, PJ Walsh of Moyne Villa said it was important to note that the facility is a community one, designed to bring all to a place where all ages can enjoy themselves in relative safety. It is also important to realise that the entire community owns the facility because state and local funds were used to build both the walk and playground. Headford is now the proud owner of one of the finest community centred facilities. He thanked the Presentation Sisters for allowing the facility to be built on their grounds, on which Moyne Villa holds a long term lease, the HSE for their co-operation in the building of the associated facility car park, the workers in the Headford Community Employment Scheme for their diligent work in enhancing and maintaining the facility, and all involved in any way. While children up to the age of 12 can have fun in the playground, more sedate exercise may be had on the walk around the Moyne Villa pitch right beside it. Eight rounds of the pitch add up to just over two miles. And to complete the exercise picture, the all-weather astroturf pitch on the other side is open to any group which wants to book it. [/private]