Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council is to refurbish a town centre play park.
MLA Maurice Bradley pressed Council to take action on the dilapidated play park at Anderson’s Park following numerous complaints from constituents.
“Anderson’s park is in a terrible condition,” said Bradley.
“Broken play equipment, overgrown trees and just general maintenance issues has left the park uninviting and in my view unsafe for children.
“Having spoken with Council officials earlier this month, I am pleased that a refurbishment project is now underway.
“This will have no impact on the Council’s future development Play Strategy, which is good news. This work is only a stop gap to keep the park going until a major development exercise is passed by Council.
“Some work to cut back vegetation has already been started, and I am aware that Council staff are working to renew the steps up to the access point to the Diamond Arcade.
I had asked for the removal of ground cover shrubs which give harbour for rodents. The park and the play equipment should be open and visible from all angles and hopefully a sympathetic scheme during the construction of NRC would augment what the Council eventually come up with.”
The MLA went on: “I look forward to seeing the finished product at Anderson’s Park.
“I believe that the area, given its historical significance to Coleraine during World War One should be highlighted more by Council.
“When I think of other towns nearby they have parks to be proud of – think of the People’s Park in Ballymena, it really is a flagship for the town.
“Our Council should be striving to have something like this in Coleraine, a shared space that we can all be proud of.
“I have no doubt that a modern, well maintained play park in the centre of Coleraine will encourage more people into our town centre, this in turn will benefit our shops and restaurants,” concluded Bradley.
