Community workers in the Top of the Hill area of the Waterside in Derry have been commended for their part in a children’s play park to be provided in the area.
Christopher Jackson.
Christopher Jackson, Sinn Fein local election candidate, has welcomed the announcement from the Department for Social Development that they will fund the play park to be located in the open space at Rose Court.
Mr Jackson said as a father of two young children, he was “acutely aware” of the need for play provision in the Top of the Hill area.
He added: “There are a large number of children in the area and they have nowhere to play. So it is great news for the area that the play park is imminent.
“The community workers in the area are to be commended for their hard work in bringing this about.
“The site of the new play park is the same site as a previous park and currently it’s a derelict open space.
“In the past, the site was a magnet for anti-community behaviour. Sinn Féin members carried out a survey with residents in the area around the proposed site of the play park, asking them for their views.
“The residents were largely enthusiastic although there were a few concerns about the park attracting anti-community behaviour, as it did before.
“While play provision is much needed, it cannot come at the expense of community safety where there might be a repeat of the incidents of nightly disturbance and noise.”
Mr Jackson concluded: “Therefore, I will ensure that when Derry City Council is designing the play park, that they design a gated park that can be safely locked up at night.”
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