Three potential sites identified for Trim playground

Three potential sites for a new playground in Trim have been identified by the local council, two of which are in the Porchfields, while the third is adjacent to the OPW headquarters.
A site at Tower View had been earmarked by the council for a new playground but the local playground development committee was not in favour of that site and asked the council to come back with alternatives.
A report was given to councillors at last Friday’s Trim Municipal District meeting on three potential sites by Administrative Officer Fiona Skehan.
One site is adjacent to the OPW headquarters and in close proximity to the existing playground. However, it was pointed out that this could be an expensive option due to archaeology and the cost of burying overhead cables.
One of the sites is in the northern Porchfields close to the Ring Road while the other is in the southern Porchfields on the corner of the Ring Road and the Newtown Road.
While a number of councillors were supportive of the Porchfields locations, concerns were also expressed by Cllr Noel French about allowing any development in that area.
Councillors felt it was important to get feedback from playground users on their preferred location over the summer months before making a decision.
In her report, Ms Skehan outlined how following approaches from the playground committee, initially they had looked at upgrading and expanding the existing playground. However, a site feasibility study found the site was limited due to close proximity to the river and flood plains.
Last October the council secured €20,000 in funding from the Department of Children for a new playground in Trim and a site at Tower View on the Athboy Road was chosen but the playground committee was not happy that the site was suitable to the needs of the town or patrons.
Ms Skehan explained that for the past three months the council had been seeking a suitable site for a playground and that archaeology reports and site feasability studies were carried out on the three sites. She asked councillors to consider the sites and come back with a decision on the location for the September meeting so that they can proceed with the planning process.