Our Rural Future: Minister Calleary officially opens Longford Town’s ‘Sunflower Playground’ designed for children with special and complex needs
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From: Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht
- Published on: 17 July 2025
- Last updated on: 17 July 2025
- New special needs playground a huge boost to communities in the area
- Further redevelopment of the grounds at the former greyhound track
- Parkland Connection was devised in response to strong public support for improved access between Longford Town and the Royal Canal Greenway
Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, today (Thursday, 17th July 2025) visited County Longford, to officially open the newly developed special needs playground, named the ‘Sunflower Playground’ in Longford Town which was funded through the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
Longford County Council received funding from the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht of €379,170 under the 2023 Town and Village Renewal Scheme for the development of this Special Needs Playground and a Parkland Connection to Royal Canal Greenway Spur.
These facilities compliment the adjacent recently completed Longford Skatepark also on the grounds of the former greyhound track. This project received funding of €405,000 under the 2022 Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
The delivery of this playground was the result of a vision by a Longford Special Needs Parents Group who approached Longford County Council in search of a safe playground for children of special and complex needs, one that would also promote awareness and acceptance of diversity within its community.
Speaking about the new playground Minister Calleary said:
“This playground has been designed with care and intention, to welcome all children. It meets a gap in the services available here in Longford by providing a safe inclusive playground for children with special and complex needs.
The delivery of this wonderful project builds on the success of the adjacent skate park that has already been completed as part of the redevelopment of the old greyhound track into an active and vibrant space to enjoy.
I am delighted that my department was able to provide the funding to bring these projects to fruition and I look forward to working with Longford County Council on any future projects they may have.
Today is a celebration of inclusivity, community and the children that inspire us to do better and I hope that this playground brings joy to all who come to spend time in it.”
ENDS
Notes
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) is part of a range of measures to support the revitalisation of rural Ireland. The programme is funded under Project Ireland 2040 as part of Our Rural Future, Ireland's Rural Development policy.
Since the introduction of the Scheme in 2016, over €177 million has been approved for almost 1,800 projects across the country.
Longford County Council was approved for funding of €379,170 for the development of this Special Needs Playground and a Parkland Connection to Royal Canal Greenway Spur under the 2023 Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
The development of this project is adjacent to the recently completed Longford Skatepark, also on the grounds of the former greyhound track. This project received funding of €405,000 under the 2022 Town and Village Renewal Scheme and was officially opened by Minister Heather Humphreys on 16 February 2024.
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme is administered on behalf of the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht by the local authorities.
For more information, go to: Town and Village Renewal Scheme.