Limerick's first all-inclusive playground has opened at the city’s People’s Park, enabling children of all abilities to enjoy their playtime, and to mix and help each other.
It includes a number of new facilities which are completely wheelchair accessible, allowing those with limited movement and strength, and those with plenty, to play together.
The old playground had been at the city’s large public park for the past 20 years and was, according to Carmel Lynch who is head of the parks section at Limerick City and County Council, in need of an upgrade.
"At the heart of our plans was the idea of inclusivity to ensure that children of all abilities would be able to play in a safe and secure playground.
"So, we have a number of new play features which are much more accessible including a wide slide allowing a child to slide with their carer, a super strong ground trampoline which can take a wheelchair, a spinning roundabout, molded bucket swings with a roller coaster harnesses, monkey puzzle bars, a large sand digger, a natural wood climbing zone, along with a sensory garden and storytelling zones.
"All of these play elements offer children with limited limb or muscular strength and co-ordination the chance to enjoy the swings and roundabouts alongside their peers," she added.
Local schools, including those for children with special and other needs are now regular visitors.
Pupils from the local Mid West school for the deaf, as well as children from Our Lady Queen of Peace school and St. Gabriel’s special school were all there to check out the new facilities.
Many of those able-bodied children were having great fun on the new swings and roundabouts, but equally they spoke of how they loved that children who live with a disability were also there to play.
In particular, they noticed the wide slide, the ground level trampoline, and the bucket swing in which a group of children can swing together. And they were helping out those kids who needed assistance on the new features.
This was particularly noticed by Maria Allen, who is Principal of the Mid West School for the deaf.
"We have children who are deaf and hard of hearing, but we also have children who use wheelchairs, and they will be able to play just as much as the children who are able bodied which is such a bonus. But in addition, as they play, they are helping and communicating with each other, so they are noticing the child and not the child’s disability," she said.
The refurbishment of the new playground cost €190,000 and Limerick Council has plans for more. Work has already begun on the Clare Street playground on the east of the city to make it a more accessible and inclusive public space.
"This is a transformative moment for children of all abilities in Limerick. The new playground is a response to the evolving needs of our city offering a diverse range of equipment, thoughtfully designed for accessible and inclusive play, and we hope it will be a cherished gathering spot for the community," Carmel Lynch added.
