Published: Wednesday, 14th July, 2010 5:00pm

Council receives its first Taoiseach's award

County manager Jack Keyes; Rapid co-ordinator Conor Craven; An Taoiseach Brian Cowen; Cathaoirleach Dessie Boylan (FG); and directors of services Joe McLoughlin and Ger Finn at the presentation of the Taoiseach's awards in Dublin Castle.

Cavan County Council has received its first ever Taoiseach's award in recognition of excellence in public service. The local authority was one of only three in the county to receive the prestigious Taoiseach's award at a ceremony in Dublin Castle last Thursday. The council was granted the honour for developing the playground or 'outdoor gym' for older people in Con Smith Park, Cavan. It's one of the first such facilities in Ireland.

More than 200 applications were received for this year's Taoiseach's awards - with 52 projects shortlisted and just 20 awards conferred. The successful projects were selected by an independent committee, chaired by David Harvey, chief executive of City Channel.

Speaking to The Anglo-Celt this week, the County Manager, Jack Keyes, said that the 'young at heart' facility had proven to be a massive success and is delivering very real physical and mental health benefits for older people and those with disabilities.

The facility is used by an average of 200 people daily - with as many as 400 at weekends.

"We're very proud as these awards cover the whole public sector and it was only when went up that we realised we were one of only three local authorities to receive the recognition. It's a very prestigious award," said Mr. Keyes, who thanked all of those involved in making the project a reality.

This is the second award that the park has received this year- having being recognised at the O2 Mobility Awards as part of Cavan County Council's overall accessibility ethos and initiatives.

The Taoiseach's Public Service Excellence Awards are designed to showcase and celebrate public service projects that make a particular difference to the way the citizen can avail of services. The awards promote innovation and excellence. The creative use of resources and the development of new efficiencies are typical hallmarks of successful entries.

The Taoiseach's Public Service Excellence Awards take place every two years. Selected projects from among the award winners have, traditionally, been showcased at international "quality conferences" as models of best practice.

Mr. Keyes said that judges expressed a desire that other local authorities in Ireland would look at the facility for older people in Cavan with a view to developing similar facilities all over the country.

Conor Craven, RAPID coordinator with Cavan County Council, gave a presentation at last week's awards in Dublin Castle on the 'young at heart' facility. He outlined that up to 2007, the local authority had developed 22 children's playgrounds with no facility for adults or older people.

Considering the aging population in Ireland and the clear gap in service provision, Mr. Craven said that the local authority looked to China where adults and older people were using outdoor gym equipment in public parks. The first such park to be developed in Europe was in Berlin. Mr. Craven also pointed to research that showed that the combination of mental and physical activity can delay the onset of senile dementia. It was also shown to improve balance and co-ordination.

In setting out to develop the facility, Cavan County Council aimed to increase the participation in sport and physical exercise among adults and older people. It also hoped to create a healthier community that results in improved quality of life and life expectancy for adults and older people in Cavan.

Mr. Craven also highlighted that the location of the infrastructure was key to the success of the project. It is beside an existing children's playground and along the route of the 2km Sli na Slainte Walk.

Given its location on the outskirts of the county town, the outdoor playground also facilitates social inclusion.

"It is easily accessible and has become a social outlet where families and neighbours utilise the equipment," he said.

Twelve items of equipment have been installed to the highest European safety standards, ensuring that many people can use the facility simultaneously.

Each item of equipment is designed to improve the coordination, heart rate and posture of older people and adults.

All muscles within the body can benefit due to the variety of available equipment. People can relax and exercise in the fresh air.