Council on Bandon playground: ‘We can't control the actions of individuals'

FOLLOWING complaints made last week by parents that used condoms and wrappers were found at Bandon playground, Cork County Council has confirmed that  while their outdoor staff carry out daily inspections of the playground and remove any litter found there, they cannot control the actions of some individuals.

‘The extent to which people can fully enjoy its use is also very much determined by how well it is respected by all the citizens of the area, this being a matter over which the Council has limited control,’ a spokesperson said.

‘The playground has received negative publicity recently, the most recent being as a result of completely inappropriate activity therein from less civic-minded people.’

As revealed in The Southern Star last week, Cork County Council has already commenced early stage scoping design work for the playground and the immediate surrounding area, so that once works associated with the flood relief scheme are complete in that area, they can then progress with a complete enhancement programme.

‘The current facility has served the young people of Bandon for a long number of years. At one stage, it was the most modern in the county and, while currently dated, the facility is safe and is well used by children from Bandon and the surrounding areas,’ it said.

‘Flood relief works are being carried out in Bandon by the OPW and part of these works include the replacement of the existing foot bridge. As soon as the foot bridge works are completed, the Council, through its Bandon-Kinsale Municipal District, will be progressing the development of a high quality, universal-access state-of-the-art playground and environmental enhancement works for the surrounding area which will complement the new bridge and the other public realm works in the town.’

In the interim, necessary maintenance works and inspections will continue to be carried out in the playground by Cork County Council. ‘It is necessary and prudent for the Council to await the completion of the foot bridge before carrying out any development on the site,’ the statement added.

Cork County Council is asking members of the public to contact the Gardaí if they become aware of anti-social activity taking place in the playground.