Balcurris Park to receive significant upgrade through the Sláintecare Healthy Communities

The Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has confirmed that Balcurris Park in Ballymun is to receive a significant upgrade through the Sláintecare Healthy Communities.

Balcurris Park is considered to be underutilised.

DCC Housing and Community Services together with DCC Parks, Biodiversity and Landscape Services are developing plans with a newly formed local committee to advance a new community garden space in the park environs and provide new recreational facilities. The sought after outcomes are to:

• Increase overall access to and promote use of Balcurris Park through the potential provision of new trails, walkways and natural play areas that support community healthy place making and wellbeing.
• Install new recreational outdoor gym equipment that promotes health and fitness and delivers positive health impacts to benefit the local community; and,
• In collaboration with the Ballymun Health and Fitness Initiative and DCC Sports Health and Wellbeing Partnership, promote and market awareness of the new Community Garden space and outdoor gym facilities, including mentoring and coaching.

Welcoming the news, local Fianna Fáil T.D Paul McAuliffe said: “In 2019 Jamie Harrington and I were knocking on doors in Balcurris and we got loads of complaints about the state of the playground, which was covered in glass.

“This area has been long forgotten and I’m delighted this morning that the Minister has announced funding to be put in place.

“This very welcome funding will see a significant improvement in the park for all of the community to enjoy.

Independent Councillor for Ballymun and Local Resident Noeleen Reilly (pictured above) has also welcomed the funding under the Sláintecare Healthy Communities for a significant upgrade in Balcurris Park Ballymun.

Speaking after the announcement today by Sláintecare Healthy Communities she said,

“I raised this issue again with Dublin City Council in July and they advised me that there would be a significant spend in Balcurris Park with improvements to the Playground taking place next year.

“Residents have long been asking for improvements to the park.

“It is a beautiful park and is totally underutilised and with so many Children living in the area it makes no sense for them to travel to further parks when this is on their doorstep.

“After years of neglect, it is great to see some investment into the area.

“As well as improved Playground equipment we are also looking at an outdoor gym and a Community Garden which would be a space for people to remember loved ones lost through addition.

“I’m delighted to see that the Minister has made a very public commitment to provide funding to Dublin City Council for this project and along with residents look forward to seeing the park full of residents enjoying the local amenities.”