New ‘Fairytale’ Playground Opened At Mallow Castle
C
ork Council Councilʼs ambitious plans for the future of Mallow have taken a major step forward with the opening of the eagerly anticipated childrenʼs playground at Mallow Castle Park. The new facility forms part of the first phase of the redevelopment of Mallow Castle Grounds.
This project was part funded by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh OʼBrien, as part of the Urban Regeneration Development Fund (URDF). As a key activator of Project Ireland 2040 the Governmentʼs National Planning Framework and National Development Plan the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund is driving regeneration and rejuvenation of strategic and underutilised areas within Irelandʼs five cities, key regional drivers and other large towns. The URDF provides planning authorities with the opportunity to coordinate their planned regeneration and rejuvenation of our large towns and cities with a stream of significant tailored Exchequer capital investment which will ensure that the right project is happening in the right place at the right time. Universal access and inclusive play principles underpinned the design which centres around a bespoke castletype structure with towers, slides, rope walks, climbing frames and a climbing wall. The facility also features sensory rich activities such as sand/water play and tree canopy exploration. The designers and contractors incorporated best practice accessible design features within the sensitive historical landscape environment of Mallow Castle Park, retaining and protecting the natural and built heritage of the site. The most appropriate surfacing suitable for wheelchairs and buggies was selected, using compacted gravel and bound rubber mulch surfacing which allows access to the play equipment and includes ramps to the sandpit area. Wide routes facilitate free unconstrained movement throughout with flush transitions allowing people using mobility aids to move freely. In addition, the equipment and features are placed at varying heights to accommodate children who have different reach ranges. The fully accessible play equipment includes see-saws with supporting backrests and handles; a range of swings encompassing nest swings, junior backrest and supporting chair swings; as well as an accessible roundabout, trampoline, play panels and hideouts. There are also quiet spaces within the playground and gardens. Accessible pathways have been constructed from the entrance through the former walled gardens to the grounds of Mallow Castle while a new entrance for both pedestrians and vehicles has been created at the northern boundary with Castlepark. A car park with space for 28 cars has also been built. Disabled and parent/child parking is available within 100m of the playground. Accessible picnic benches and seating areas have also been provided.
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