Cllr Pat Barden (Independent) calls for the opening of John F Kennedy Park to families with children with Special Needs.

Cllr. Pat Barden (Independent) has today written to the County Manager, the OPW and the Minister for Health, Simon Harris requesting that John F Kennedy Park open to Families with Children with Special Needs.

Speaking from New Ross today Cllr. Barden said;

“Families with children with special needs are finding it very difficult to cope in circumstances where they have been cooped up for the last five weeks without any respite”

“This crisis is taking its toll on everybody’s Mental Health but especially those families with children or adults with special needs, many of whom are at breaking point”

“This park, which is 623 acres in size, is ideal for affording families with special needs children the space to get a break from the confines of their homes to exercise in a safe and controlled environment, where social distancing can be practiced at ease.”

“It is rare to have such a facility on one’s door step here in the New Ross District and no better tribute could be paid to the memory of John F Kennedy than to have this Park open to children with special needs during the war with this terrible virus.”

“I am not advocating for a reduction in precautions, however I am simply asking that the opening of the Park to these very limited numbers from the locality would help improve their Mental health without compromising our fight against Covid 19 and the health of others.”