In the past year, Clare has seen lots of funding poured into community playgrounds.  It was much needed and, as parents, we can be thrilled to have a choice of playgrounds.   I've included on my list all the ones built and still in planning.  I'll keep updating the details as playgrounds are newly opened.  I'll try to include what equipment is at each.

Ballynacally - Small but nicely designed park amongst the trees with grass and matting.  Totally enclosed with gates at front. Play structure with slide, house, train, seesaw, two springers, small roundabout and spinner bowl.  It's perfect for smaller kids.

Clarecastle - not yet built

Cooraclare

Corofin - Built near the GAA pitch, it's enclosed with fencing.  Small climbing structure for little ones with slide, 3 types of roundabouts, two baby swings, butterfly and chicken springer, large climbing structure with slide, rope bridge, fireman's pole, hopscotch, springer seesaw, and zip line.

Cratloe - not yet built

Crusheen

Doora/Roslevan

St. Claire's Special School in Ennis - completed

Ennis - This park spans behind the courthouse and has playground equipment on both sides of the green.  Various sets of climbing bars, swings, baby swings, large and small slides, basketball hoop, and benches.  It has a track and pitch which are nice, but the playground equipment is old and the play area is not fenced in - so not great for little ones.

Ennis - Lees Road Amenities Park - Great all round facility with playground for the toddlers and older kids.

Feakle

Kildysart - Toddler area is fenced in separately from older kids play area and it includes wooden train, ramps, and bridges, slide, baby swings, springers, and benches.  The play area for the older ones includes a large rope pyramid, springer seesaw, a few types of roundabouts, nest swing, swings, chair swing, climbing bars, and large slide.

Kilkee - completed

Kilkishen - Very colorful playground with assortment of roundabouts, slides, swings, springer seesaw, nest swing, and more. This playground has a unique climbing structure with stacked 10-sided shapes (a decagon?).  They plan on expanding even more activities for the older children.

Killaloe - Excellent playground with various kinds of slides, springer seesaws, swing, roundabouts and the favourite for all - the zip wire! Located beside the Tennis Club in Killaloe there is also great parking.

Kilmaley

Kilrush / Cappa - completed

Lahinch

Lisdoonvarna - One of the largest playgrounds built recently with springer seesaws, nest swing, roundabouts of various kinds, slides and climbing structures for all ages, a log playhouse, large rope pyramid, balance beams, bars, etc.  They incorporated various play surfaces with grass and rubber matting and left a few trees to mature in the playground.  Pitches and short walking paths nearby.

Lissycasey (in planning stages)

Meelick - completed

Mountshannon - new playground built in 2011 and is very modern and caters for both small kids and big kids. The little kids can enjoy their own slide, sea saw and rockers, the bigger kids have the spider climbing frame, spinning wheel, swings and there is a compbination of rubber matring and grass with few benches and tables for picnics. The beauty of this one is that is beside Aistear Iniscealtra - the amazing old maze, and you cna also take a walk to the harbour to enjoy the stunning few across the lake.

O'Briensbridge - This is also one of the newer, more colourful playgrounds with all the best of equipment for both the smaller kids and the not so small kids. If is fully enclosed and there are also many great walks along the river nearby so a fun day out can be had by all.

Parteen - completed

Quin - These grounds aren't quite open yet, but some equipment is installed including rope pyramid, carousel, springer seesaw, climbing structure with slide, nest swing, regular swings and baby swings.

Scariff - Playground with various equipment for ages 0 to 12.  Set in a beautiful setting with plenty of parking spaces. A little outside the town so nice and quiet too - except for the kids of course!

Inis Ealga in Shannon - Very colorful, fenced in playground with plenty to keep all ages happy.  Various structures to climb, large rope pyramid, nest swing, springers, slide, large and small swings, lots of benches, and more.

Sixmilebridge - This playground is behind the Bridge Kids building and enclosed with fencing. Large climbing structure with ropes to climb, two slides, a hammock swing, spring car and motorcycle, playhouse, springer seesaw, spinner bowl, small swing and baby swing, hopscotch, standing carousel, larger swings, rock-it platform and benches.

Tulla - Playground with high walls and nice parking area that conveniently overlooks the playground.  It has a good variety for toddlers and older children including: two baby swings, two regular swings, nest swing, seal and pig springer, small climbing structure with hamster tube and small slide, springer seesaw, roundabout, standing roundabout, large climbing structure with slide, rope bridge and fireman's pole, and zip line.  There is soft play surface under the equipment and a few benches to sit on.  My kids particularly like talking to each other through the telephone tube.

 Have fun and try some of the gear yourselves!!

I understand that a small, new playground has been built near the Community Centre in Doolin.  If you have a new playground in your community, please email me and I will add it.  Thanks!

Aileen