Play and Recreation
Throughout the year a number of events were organised to promote the value of play in relation to health, education, creativity and social development:- Kite-making workshops using recycled materials were promoted organised and facilitated in primary schools and in Globe House
- National Play Day in Mitchell Curley Park was co-ordinated and play initiatives supported in a multi agency approach
- Community groups were encouraged to promote the importance of play at local level.
Play and recreation development in 2007 also included developing linkages with Local Authorities in Northern Ireland in the area of best practice in the development of Play and Recreation opportunities. A site visit to Omagh District Council’s playgrounds, meeting with local community groups and attending conferences and workshops in Northern Ireland regarding play were all part of the cross border networking activities.
CONSULTATION:
Sligo County Council held several consultation workshops in 2007 working closely with Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership, Sligo County Childcare Committee and a number of local schools. These consultations have helped to identify the needs of children and young people in Sligo when it comes to developing play and recreation infrastructure and opportunities for play.
The Play and Recreation Officer also advised community groups and facilitated open meetings with a number of committees interested in recreational development in their areas.
PLAYGROUND DEVELOPMENT
During 2007 a number of playgrounds were developed around the county in conjunction with local playground committees:
- Ballisodare
- Ballinacarrow
- Coolaney
- Skreen (opening 2008)
Funding for these playgrounds came from various sources – local contributions, county council funds, Urban and Village Renewal Programme, PEACE II Extension Programme and Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
Cross Border Seaside Towns Initiative
The Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council Councillor Seamus Kilgannon welcomed all the guests to the final celebration event of the Seaside Towns Initiative and officially launched the new tourism based website www.discoverseasidetowns.ie in December 2007.
This joint cross border local authority project part-financed by the European Union through the Interreg IIIa Programme managed for the Special EU Programmes Body by the ICBAN Partnership resulted in major infrastructural works being undertaken in five council areas.
The Seaside Towns Initiative was led by Sligo County Council and partnered with Donegal County Council, Coleraine Borough Council, Larne Borough Council and Moyle District Council. In 2003, the project was awarded €1,275,000 under Priority 1 Measure 1 of INTERREG IIIA through ICBAN. The aim of this four year initiative was to undertake environmental improvement works in nine seaside towns in the partners’ areas and to undertake a co-operative marketing programme to increase international and national visitors to the region.
The resorts that participated were:
- Sligo - Enniscrone, Mullaghmore;
- Donegal - Donegal, Buncrana, Bundoran;
- Coleraine – Portrush;
- Larne – Glenarm;
- Moyle - Ballycastle
Works in Enniscrone put the finishing touches to a much loved family resort, providing soft landscaping and improved access facilities for visitors to the area. With its 5km of sandy Blue Flag beaches it offers plenty of water based activities for the adventurous, a championship golf course and Waterpoint Aqua facilities for family entertainment.
A 19th century stone built harbour is the focal point of Mullaghmore and funding received was used to further enhance the spectacular views of this resort with its wild sweeping ocean and golden sandy beaches.
ICBAN Project Officer, Mr. Garret McGinty stated that ICBAN were delighted with the outcome of this unique project. He said that the cross border project had brought together local authorities to share knowledge and technical expertise and this had resulted in mutual economic, social and cultural benefits for all the parties involved.
