FOLLOWING discussions with elected members and the Brooke Park Users Group, officers from Derry City and Strabane District Council have commenced the processes required to ensure that a wheel chair accessible swing is installed within Brooke Park.
In a statement, the council said: “Officers have engaged with a broad range of stakeholders including elected members, the Brooke Park User Group, equipment providers and organisations who have installed similar swings in order to gain a full appreciation of the type of equipment that is available, and of the management and maintenance requirements associated with the installation of this specialist equipment.
Officers will bring a detailed progress report to the March meeting of the Environment and Regeneration Committee and to the next Brooke Park users group meeting to advise of the timescale for installation of the equipment.
The swing will be installed as soon as is possible. Installation will be dependent on the usual statutory and procurement processes.
The wheelchair swing provision is over and above what was agreed by stakeholders during the planning phase for the current regeneration project.
Council has also commenced a wider review of play provision and will take this opportunity to review the quantity, quality and accessibility of all fixed play provision across the district.
Council is progressing with the recruitment of a Play Development Officer who will oversee the play review and who will be responsible for implementing the key findings, in particular that play facilities are inclusive and accessible to all users.