New playground opens for Meakstown community

The Meakstown community has today welcomed the opening of a new playground for all ages within Lanesborough Park in Dublin 11.

The spacious and vibrant addition to the neighbourhood was opened by Mayor of Fingal Cllr Adrian Henchy, alongside Fingal Chief Executive AnnMarie Farrelly, local Councillors and Members of the Oireachtas.

Covering 1.2 acres, there are a range of facilities provided, offering play opportunities for toddlers and teenagers and including the installation of exercise equipment suitable for teens and adults.

Opening the new space, Mayor Henchy said: “This wonderful playground isn't just a collection of swings, slides, and climbing fun. It's a place where children of all ages can laugh, play, and create lasting memories. It's also a space where families can come together.

“But our work doesn't end here, as construction continues of the nearby Meakstown Community Centre. Once that is completed there will be a spectacular new hub with sports halls, community spaces for exercise classes, changing rooms, sensory garden and much more for the local community to enjoy.”

This playground is the completion of Phase 1 of the wider Lanesborough Park development project in Meakstown. It has been developed in consultation with local representatives, community groups and various stakeholders. Following this will come the delivery of the community garden to complement the new Meakstown Community Centre now under construction, as well as significant entrance and main pathway upgrades around the park.

Kevin Halpenny, Fingal’s Senior Parks Superintendent, said: “This is a key part of an inclusive and multi-faceted amenity for the community of Meakstown, providing enhanced local outdoor recreational facilities for children, teenagers and adults while supporting the development of a sense of identity for the area. It truly sets the benchmark for many similar projects that we will be undertaking across the county as part of our vision to provide accessible, inclusive and high-quality play spaces for Fingal communities.”

Excellent progress is being made on the new €7.5m Community Centre nearby. That facility will cater for a wide range of community, recreational, education and sporting activities in the area. It will be complemented by pedestrianised walkways and cycle paths in the park to help encourage greater active travel in the community, alongside landscape gardening that will include a unique raingarden to increase biodiversity.