‘A fantastic addition for our children’ – popular county Kilkenny park and playground has its official opening
There were smiles all around as a long-awaited county Kilkenny playground was officially opened.
Ferrybank Neighbourhood Park was the centre of attention yesterday morning as the Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, Cllr Fidelis Doherty and elected members of Kilkenny County Council, the Mayor of Waterford City and County Council, Cllr Joe Kelly and Elected Members, invited guests and members of the local community gathered to mark the official opening of the new neighbourhood park.
The park secured funding from Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government under the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) together with funding from Kilkenny County Council and Waterford City and County Council.
It includes a playground, a meeting point for teenagers, outdoor gym, kickabout area, walking track, tree planting, a wildflower meadow and a terraced seating area for informal gatherings and events.
Local residents were involved in the planning and design of the park through a very successful public consultation process carried out by Kilkenny County Council.
Speaking at the event, Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, Cllr Fidelis Doherty, said: “This Neighbourhood Park is a welcoming addition to our Parks and Green spaces and will play a major role in improving the health and well-being of the people of Kilkenny and Waterford.
“The new play area is also a fantastic addition for our children to explore and have fun. With South East Greenway cycling and walking route from Waterford to New Ross which passes close to the Park currently under construction, the future is certainly bright in terms of the availability of amenity facilities for both local residents and visitors to Ferrybank.”
The park opened for use last October and is already much loved by local residents which is evident in the numbers using the facility.
Mayor of Waterford City and County Council, Cllr Joe Kelly, said: “Waterford City and County Council are delighted and proud to be associated with this Project. It is a wonderful addition to community life in the Ferrybank area. It is great to see projects like this come to fruition and I know the park will have a long-lasting and positive impact on the lives of local residents.”
