For years, the playground in Westport stood as a symbol of neglect—graffiti-covered, equipment broken and unsafe, and a clear sign of how a vital community space had been allowed to fall into disrepair. Promises were made, and hopes were briefly lifted when the council announced the closure of the playground for "renovations." But when the gates reopened, families were devastated to find that the space remained in a dangerous and unusable condition. The only visible "improvement"? A new fence—where the entirety of the renovation budget had been spent.
The frustration and anger felt by local families was immense. Parents from the Westport Parent and Toddler Group, who had long depended on the playground as a safe and vital space for early learning and community connection, decided that enough was enough. What began as concern grew into collective action.
A pivotal moment came when one of the group’s parents spoke out during a heartfelt interview on Midwest Radio. The message resonated far beyond the group—it galvanised support from across the wider community. In the wake of the interview, a petition was launched calling for transparency and accountability in how public funds are spent, and for meaningful community consultation in decisions affecting public spaces.
The call was not just for a better playground—but for one that was accessible, safe, and welcoming for all.
To reinforce this message, a Teddy Bears’ Picnic Protest was held. Families gathered in the shadow of the fence, using play and creativity to show how the enclosure was not a protection, but a barrier to community life and joy.
This groundswell of community support brought real results. Under sustained public pressure, the playground was repainted, and several pieces of broken equipment were finally repaired.
Today, we are proud to say that councillors have committed to working in tandem with Westport Action For Youth. They are encouraging collaboration with other local groups, and supporting us in presenting a clear, community-led vision for the redevelopment of the playground.
We are now in the exciting phase of co-creating that vision—connecting with community members across Westport to ensure that the playground and green area become a vibrant, inclusive space that reflects the needs and dreams of all who use it.
This campaign has shown the power of people coming together. From neglect to momentum, we’ve demonstrated that community voices matter—and when united, they can create real, lasting change.
Contribute to the vision and see what your fellow community members have voted for so far!
