Funding secured for major new Galway playground as plans for inclusive play space move forward
A new inclusive playground for Galway city is a step closer to becoming a reality, with funding secured and plans soon to be lodged to create a play space designed for children of all ages in Renmore.
Inclusion and diverse play are at the heart of Renmore’s new playground, as the project is prioritised to bridge a gap in the Galway Green Spaces Strategy 2025–2034.
The strategy revealed a need for nearly 40 play areas throughout Galway to meet the term benchmark.
The project is linked to the Renmore Neighbourhood Park Project and the wider masterplan for Renmore, Lough Atalia, and Ballyloughane Beach.
Renmore Neighbourhood Park community centre rendering
MKO consultants briefed Galway City East area councillors on the project in a meeting this week. They explained it includes a variety of play areas and designs accessible to babies, children, teens, and families.
The playground is proposed along Renmore Avenue and will include five areas designed around inclusivity, accessibility and social interaction.
Influenced by the surrounding Oak trees at the existing green site, the playground will be aesthetically designed to mirror scattered acorns.
MKO consultants said it was important for them to recognise that “children play in different ways,” and therefore provision for all types of play were considered.
A toddler play area will include sliding tunnels and willow dens, as well as spaces for scooting and ball play. The park then will include an inclusive ‘Play For All’ area with accessible swings and climbing structures, as well as sensory play elements for children with different physical and sensory needs.
The third area identified will be a sand and water play area with pumps and spray elements as well as dry stream beds for exploration.
A quiet play area with structures and hammocks, and a designated activity space remain the final two areas within the playground proposal.
The elements of the Renmore Park project were intended to be submitted for approval together however, because the playground had funding available it was proposed separately to “enable early delivery,” the consultants said.
The remaining elements for Renmore park will be part of a Part 10 application submitted to An Coimisúin Pleanála in winter 2026.
Renmore Neighbourhood Park outline. Red line indicates location of playground.
Renmore Avenue was chosen as the most viable location due to its local access to the community. It is well served by public transport and easily accessible on bike and foot. Its location offers natural surveillance of the park with frequent traffic and neighboring businesses.
A shared pedestrian and cycle route is included within the playground infrastructure to link into the park. Consultants stated that this will be achieved by narrowing the carriageway along Renmore Avenue. Additionally, a narrowing at the Rowan Avenue junction was suggested for increased visibility.
Three six-week public engagement sessions on the project have been conducted with relatively positive feedback.
Galway City Councillors requested a guided walk through of the site with MKO consultants ahead of the application submission for a better understanding of the project layout.
The Part 8 application intends to be submitted when councillors return from the summer break in September.