Bunratty Folk Park - Proposed upgrade to existing playground area

Description

Bunratty Folk Park is set in the environs of Bunratty Castle and is set out as a faithful representation of village and country life in Ireland in times past. It caters for both domestic and overseas visitors on a year round basis and is regarded as one of Ireland’s premier tourist attractions. A part of the Folk Park an area is set out as a children’s play area presently consisting of mock wooden castle/maze and a swings area. The existing playground area in the Folk Park is located just off the village street. The site can be accessed from both the village street. and also from a pathway to the rear of the village street. It has a small variety of play equipment – slides, swings and a maze which are surrounded by a wooden castle type structure. The existing playground area has reached the end of its serviceable life. Both the variety of play equipment and the play surface are no longer suitable to the present needs and a decision has been taken to replace the existing playground equipment and to upgrade the existing playground area. The area of the existing playground area is circa half an acre. The proposal for the new playground area will involve the removal of all the existing play equipment (slides, Maze and swings) and all associated surfaces. The plan is to install a playground in the existing site, which must be in keeping with the ethos of the Folk Park. Any new pathways throughout the new playground area should be of a suitable gradient for both wheelchair and buggy use. The target for the proposed upgrade of the playground area is to develop a play area that is of all year round interest to all visitors to the Park.