Marking the International Day of Play, Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley has announced €200,000 for two new nature-based play spaces in Counties Clare and Limerick. The funding launches a first-of-its-kind pilot to create outdoor play and learning environments for children and young people.

Under the allocation, Clare County Council will receive €100,000 to develop a high-quality nature-based play and learning space in a public park in Ennis, at John O'Sullivan Park, Lees Road. Limerick City & County Council will also receive €100,000 for a natural play area and outdoor education hub at Baggot Estate Nature Park in Ballinacurra, including a Forest School to serve the surrounding neighbourhoods.

The pilot is funded through the National Development Plan and follows the Department of Children, Disability and Equality's Play and Recreation Provision for Children and Adolescents: A National Review for Ireland 2024, which underscores the benefits of outdoor play. A core requirement of the scheme was meaningful consultation with children, with local authorities invited to propose inclusive, high-quality, nature-based play environments.

Local authorities could seek up to €100,000 per project, with one application permitted per authority. Proposals were assessed by an evaluation panel including representatives from the Department of Children, Disability and Equality and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Applicants had to demonstrate children's participation in design, child-friendly and safe facilities, and full accessibility for all children, including those with disabilities. Nine applications were received, with Clare and Limerick achieving the highest scores.

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Minister Foley said: "It is fantastic to be able to announce the first ever nature-based play spaces for children and young people on International Day of Play.

"Some children get to play in the great outdoors regularly but other children have limited access to open spaces and experiences in the natural world.

"The new natural playgrounds will have exciting features such as earthen mounds, timber bridges, natural tunnels, balancing logs, stepping rounds, and climbing structures, allowing children to engage in free play.

"It's particularly positive to see that children's views helped shape these projects, and that they will be fully accessible to all children, including those with disabilities."

In Ennis, the project will focus on durable, low-maintenance natural features that encourage physical activity, managed risk-taking and social interaction. Planned elements include earthen mounds, timber bridges and slides integrated into the landscape, natural tunnels, balancing logs, stepping rounds and climbing structures. Biodiversity zones with wildflower planting, native tree clusters and habitat features such as log piles and insect hotels will support nature observation and environmental learning, while accessible pathways will protect sensitive areas and accommodate children with mobility or sensory needs. A dedicated outdoor learning circle with robust log seating will enable storytelling, curriculum-linked activities, community workshops and reflection, with open spaces available for both structured programmes and free play.

In Limerick, the Natural Play Area and Outdoor Learning Hub will provide stations such as balancing beams and posts, playful 'ringforts', mazes formed by tree stems, mounds, bridges, climbing frames and a large sand play area. Education features will include seating made from tree stems for the Forest School, information signage and access paths to ditches and a newly created pond area. The scheme will also incorporate wood-carved sculptures and seating, alongside tree planting and management of seminatural grassland and wildflower areas.