New Community Playground Opens at Laurel Lodge Green

Fingal County Council has officially opened a new playground at Laurel Lodge Green, providing a much-anticipated recreational facility for the Castleknock community.

Constructed at a cost of €346,000, the playground has been developed in line with Space for Play – A Play Policy for Fingal and in response to strong community demand for a safe and engaging play space for children in the area.

Designed for children up to 12 years of age, the playground is thoughtfully positioned beside the mature trees at the centre of Laurel Lodge Green which blends seamlessly with its surroundings, enhancing the green space while preserving its natural character. This location creates an inviting setting for play, recreation, and community use throughout the year.

In addition to a wide range of play features, the development includes complementary amenities such as a drinking water fountain, bicycle parking and seating areas, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming space for families and visitors.

Welcoming the opening of the new community amenity, Acting Mayor Cllr Ted Leddy said: “I’m delighted to see this fantastic new playground delivered for the residents of Laurel Lodge. It represents a great result for the local community, providing a safe and welcoming space where children can play, families can come together, and people of all ages can enjoy the outdoors. It’s a valuable investment that will benefit the area for many years to come.”

The new playground is expected to become a focal point for the Laurel Lodge community, providing a vibrant space that promotes outdoor activity, social connection, and wellbeing for years to come.

Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, AnnMarie Farrelly, added: “This project demonstrates our continued commitment to investing in high-quality public spaces that support healthy, active and connected communities. This new playground is a valuable addition to Laurel Lodge, and we hope the local community will enjoy and make full use of this fantastic amenity.”

The delivery of the Laurel Lodge playground highlights Fingal County Council’s ongoing commitment to working closely with local communities to identify needs and deliver meaningful improvements to public spaces. The project reflects a broader strategic focus on enhancing neighbourhood amenities, supporting active lifestyles, and ensuring that green spaces are inclusive, accessible and sustainable. 

Senior Parks and Landscape Officer at Fingal County Council, Kevin Halpenny, spoke about the completion of the project, stating: “We are very pleased to see this new playground come to fruition here in Laurel Lodge. From a park’s perspective, the focus was on creating a high-quality, durable and inclusive play space that complements the area and meets the needs of the local community. It’s great to see a space that encourages active play and social interaction, and we look forward to it becoming a well-used community asset.”

By investing in facilities such as this, the Council is helping to foster stronger community connections, encourage outdoor play and recreation, and contribute to the long-term health and wellbeing of residents. As Laurel Lodge Green continues to evolve as a shared community space, this new playground will play an important role in supporting vibrant, family-friendly environments for current and future generations.