Kildare County Council urged to commit to delivery of playground at this location

Kildare County Council (KCC) has been urged to commit to the delivery of a playground by the Mayor of the Celbridge-Leixlip Municipal District (MD).

Labour Party councillor and Mayor of the MD, Rupert Heather, made the request at the latest MD meeting, which occurred on Friday, January 16 last.

Specifically, he motioned for KCC to commit to the delivery of a playground "on council-owned land at Hazelhatch Road, Celbridge".

As part of his motion, he also requested for KCC to "proactively advance this project during 2026", including: "confirmation of the suitability and indicative location of the Hazelhatch Road site, with particular regard to passive surveillance, accessibility, and proximity to residential areas; early-stage design and community engagement to ensure a high-quality, inclusive playground is delivered; and the allocation of funding within the 2026 Capital Programme to meaningfully progress the project beyond the feasibility stage".

Mayor Heather’s requests were seconded by Fianna Fáil Cllr Bernard Caldwell.

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Replying to Mayor Heather, KCC said via the report it presented at the meeting: "The site on the Hazelhatch Road is considered suitable due to its zoning and location.

"Work on this is being considered for the 2026 Parks Works Programme, but will have to be considered in the context of existing commitments to projects within the Municipal District and the staff resources to deliver projects across the county."

Speaking further on his motion, Mayor Heather said that he was "glad" to hear that the road was considered suitable.

He also said: "I would very much like to urge KCC to include it in the Park Works Programme."

In addition, Mayor Heather told KCC: "I understand the difficulties with land availability and resources, but still, I would very much like to see the matter progressed."

Cllr Caulfield also expressed his wish to see the matter being progressed, especially as there is "a big young population on the area".

The Mayor of the Celbridge-Leixlip Municipal District, Labour Party Cllr Rupert Heather. Photograph credit: Cllr Rupert Heather via Facebook

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Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.