Playground sand to be raised again at Council

Cllr Fiona McLoughlin Healy is to ask Kildare County Council officials for more clarity on why sand is being used in the Kilcullen Community Playground, writes Brian Byrne.

She told the recent meeting of Kilcullen Community Action that her motion for consideration to have the surfaces redone in rubberised material similar to that provided in Maynooth's playground had been deferred until the September meeting of Kildare-Newbridge MD.

But she read to the meeting a report from officials which outlined the criteria for deciding on what material should be used. This would be further discussed at the September meeting, she said.

KCA chair Ann Cashman noted that the sand which had replaced the original mulch had recently been renewed, 'unfortunately'. "And when they replaced it, they didn't even compact it," she said.

Ray Kelly reminded the group that when the original mulch had been replaced with sand some years ago, he had been told by the Council that 'sand was cheaper'. He added that the officials hadn't even consulted with the group or the community, 'they just announced a closure for the duration of the work'.

Noel Clare told Cllr McLoughlin Healy that the mulch had been much easier to manage for the group, which maintains the playground on behalf of the Council. "The main reason it recently had to be topped up was because it 'leaks' out onto the rest of the playground, and onto the road."

The councillor promised to follow up the matter and establish the 'proper economics' of the issue.

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