Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow, John Brady, and Sinn Féin Local Area Representative for Bray East, Denise Cahill, have called on Wicklow County Council to urgently reopen two playgrounds in Little Bray, which have been closed and padlocked, the one in Fassaroe since the beginning of May.
The two playgrounds are the only available to children living in Little Bray, with Brady and Cahill highlighting that the prolonged closure is unacceptable and is depriving local children and families of much needed safe spaces to play.
Teachta Brady said:
“These are council owned playgrounds and the fact that both have been padlocked and out of use is deeply concerning.
“These are the only two playgrounds serving the children and families of Little Bray, and their continued closure is having a real impact on the local community.
“Parents should not have to travel outside their own community to find a safe and suitable place for their children to play.
“There is also an additional safety concern now developing. With the playgrounds closed, children are now attempting to climb over barriers and access areas that have been closed off.
“This is a dangerous symptom of the broader failure that has seen these amenities closed.
“We are calling on Wicklow County Council to take whatever steps are necessary to get these playgrounds reopened as a matter of urgency.”
Sinn Féin Local Area Representative for Bray East, Denise Cahill, said:
“The length of time these playgrounds have remained closed is simply not good enough.
“The families of Little Bray deserve far better.
“The council has a responsibility to ensure that local amenities are properly maintained, safe and available for the communities they serve.
“We need urgent action from Wicklow County Council to address the issues that are preventing these playgrounds from reopening and to ensure that children in Little Bray have access to safe and local facilities.”
ENDS