MAYOR of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Maolíosa McHugh opened the new play environment at Strathfoyle to the public on Friday.
The £500,000 project is part of the Parks Management and Development Programme and is funded by Council, with support from the Department for Communities and local waste management company, RiverRidge Recycling.
Mayor McHughMencouraged the public to use and celebrate the completion of the much anticipated project.
“I am delighted that years of hard work by Council and the local community will finally be realised with the official opening of the Strathfoyle Play Park,” he said.
“The park will be a hugely positive addition to the local area and have a significant impact on the quality of life of the residents in Strathfoyle and the wider Waterside area.
“This is the latest in a line of new and innovate parks development projects across the City and District that underline our commitment to enhancing play provision as a clear priority in our Community Plan.”
Sharon McCullagh from the Department for Communities, said they were delighted to see the completion of the project.
“The Department are proud to support this project with a funding commitment of £50,000, which helped unlock the other funding necessary to complete the play park.
“We are delighted that this project can now be opened to the public to provide a safe environment for young people to enjoy the outdoors and play together.”
RiverRidge is also contributing to the Strathfoyle play environment project and a spokesperson for the company expressed their pleasure at being able to enhance community life in Strathfoyle.
“RiverRidge is delighted to contribute to this project which will be a very significant addition to community life in Strathfoyle.
“The project will provide a hub for children to come together, play safely and for parents to relax.
“We would like to congratulate everyone involved in bringing this project to completion.”
Alex Duffy, Chairperson of Strathfoyle Community Association, added: “The local community in Strathfoyle are excited about the opening of this facility and our young people are particularly looking forward to enjoying the fun day and using the park for the first time.
“On behalf of the association I would like to thank Council and all the funders for their commitment and hard work in bringing this play park to the people of Strathfoyle.”
Enagh Youth Forum played an active role in campaigning for new play facilities for families in the area for several years and Community Empowerment Worker, Paul Hughes, added:
“Local residents led the community campaign for play facilities in the area and I am delighted that the play park is now ready for them to enjoy.
“There is much more work to do in bringing to life all aspects of The Strathfoyle Community Plan.
“The opening of this new park marks an important milestone in the re-generation of the Strathfoyle area.”
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