Omagh residents furious after playpark disappears overnight

RESIDENTS in Omagh have voiced anger after a children’s playpark at Gortrush was removed overnight, apparently without any proper consultation.

The small play area, located just off the Derry Road and used regularly by local families, disappeared suddenly last week.

Its removal by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council (FODC) has sparked ‘dismay’ among those living nearby.

“We were shocked,” said resident Geralyn McCusker. “One day there were two working swings and a slide – the next, everything was gone!”

She said claims of community consultation were difficult to accept.

“The council insists consultation took place by putting a poster on the slide. Not one resident I’ve spoken to saw it. We’ve been completely ignored. Our children are being deprived of a play area, while other parks in the town are being upgraded.”

Ms McCusker said she contacted the council, only to be told there were no plans for a replacement, and that residents should use facilities at Hunter Crescent instead.

A council spokesperson said consultation had taken place between 2023 and 2024 as part of its wider Play Park Strategy 2030.

“Fermanagh and Omagh District Council continues to progress delivery of its Play Park Strategy 2030.

“Council officers undertook community consultation and facilitated resident engagements between 2023 and 2024 in respect of Omagh play parks, specifically Gortrush Play Park, and the Council considered a report in that regard in June 2024.

“The council has invested more than £2.5 million in the redevelopment of play parks across the District since 2021 and recently secured an additional £904,000 funding from the SEUPB to support further progress over the next two years,” they added.