Calls for playground in Donacarney as local facilities struggle to keep pace with growth

There have been growing calls for a community playground in Donacarney, as concerns mount that local facilities are not keeping up with the area's rapid growth. During the December meeting of the Laytown/Bettystown Municipal District, it was highlighted that families in Donacarney often have to travel to Drogheda, Bettystown, or Laytown for recreational spaces, underscoring the need for a local solution.

Fianna Fáil Cllr Stephen McKee tabled a motion urging Meath County Council to begin planning for a playground on eight acres of council-owned land near Glen Boann on Church Road. Speaking after the meeting, Cllr McKee said:

"I am pleased that a motion I tabled at our most recent Council Meeting, calling for a playground to be built on Council-owned land in Donacarney, has been adopted by Meath County Council.

"The land in question is approximately 8 acres and is located beyond the Glen Boann housing development on Church Road, close to Mornington Park, Maydenhayes, and Donacarney Wood. This site is an ideal location for a local playground, which is badly needed in the area to serve local families. I will continue to pursue this on behalf of local families."

Cllr McKee pointed out that Donacarney has seen significant development in recent years, with the growth of housing estates and an increasing population. Despite this, there remains a lack of amenities for local residents. “Families have to go into Drogheda or Bettystown or Laytown, which is actually a fair trek for people in Donacarney and Mornington,” he said.

Meath County Council has stated that, currently, there is no funding available to develop a playground in Donacarney, but added that the location could be considered in the future if resources become available.

Sinn Féin Cllr Maria White also supported the motion, emphasizing the growing number of young families in the area. "I fully support this motion. I live in Mornington, so I have seen first-hand all of the development that has taken place in Donacarney," Cllr White said.

“You only need to look at the new school building to know how many young people are living there. There is practically nothing to do, it is not even connected by footpaths, and it would be a trek to try to walk to Laytown or Bettystown.”

Cllr White suggested that councillors could consider pooling resources to make the playground project a reality. “Every year there is €100,000 for us as councillors, and while we support different community groups through that, I sometimes feel the money could be really well spent if we picked a project and said, ‘Why don’t we work together and get this project done for the community?’” she added.

With strong support from both Cllr McKee and Cllr White, the call for a local playground in Donacarney is gaining momentum. Despite challenges around funding, local residents and councillors are determined to continue pushing for this much-needed facility.