NAAS: 23 May 2001: by Trish Whelan. Residents of Kingsfurze Estate in Naas are keeping their fingers crossed that Naas UDC will help them fulfill their dream of re-establishing their playground area.
"Please help us add to our playground equipment," say Donie Conway, chairman of Kingsfurze Residents Assoc, and John and Pauline Kavanagh with their children, Claire, Caoimhe and baby Columb.
The residents wrote to the Council in January seeking financial help to put in swings and see-saws but say they have had no response as yet. “We didn’t even get a letter saying if they were for or against it,” said Residents Association chairman, Donie Conway.
He said the residents want to improve the playground, on a small green area, which consists of only one 30-year-old slide. The original equipment had to be scrapped two years ago after it was found to be unsafe by modern EU standards.
Kingsfurze resident, John Kavanagh, explained: “We had the original playground inspected by Richard Webb, a playground consultant, who said most of it could not be salvaged. However if we put in a soft surface below the swing, then it would meet EU standards.”
This was duly done and the swing is now enjoyed by children from the estate as well as families from the town. A wooden bench has been provided for adults when their children are at play.
“The Council is spending £100,000 on its first playground in the Monread District Park while the only sourse of funding we have is from residents and from our £30 annual subscription, used for grass cutting and for insurance,” Mr Conway stated.
He said the Residents Assoc Committee would love to improve the playground - and would carry out any maintainence work - but don’t have the money.
He said residents had built their own tennis court on the green area and maintained it. “There are great skills in this estate. Anything major that needs to be done, we have the people to do it.”
Much of the estate’s grass areas are cut by local volunteer, John Everan. A contractor is hired for the larger area.
Other stalwarts include Marguerita Solen and her team of helpers who were responsible for transforming an ugly ‘island’ area into a gravel garden. Residents Association secretary, Madeline O’Mahony, looks after all correspondence.
Residents had failed in their attempt to have the estate road repaired by the Council, so had taken on the job themselves. “We also want two ramps installed to slow the traffic and wrote to the UDC about it. But again, there was no response. That to me is not acceptable,” stated Mr Conway.
Kingsfurze Estate is a mix of housing types, and enjoys a great community spirit, evidenced by the many activities held throughout the year. In 1980 it won the Bord na Mona award for Best Residential Estate and this has been followed up with many local awards.
Private sites had been sold by the Council for £330 each while the balance of the housing was by the National Building Agency.
“The residents were very grateful to the UDC for providing us with sites and homes at the time - amidst local opposition,” recalled Donie Conway.
“But we would be also be grateful for a positive response to our request for financial help towards a better playground ... and for those traffic calming ramps,” he added.
©2001trishwhelan/knn