'Central park' amenity plan revealed for large Laois housing estate
Public consultation opens for largescale amenity development in Kilminchy, Portlaoise
A children's adventure playground, an outdoor gym, upgraded multi-sport ball courts, a woodland sculptural trail, and an outdoor classroom are all part of an exciting and long awaited amenity plan for possibly the biggest housing estate in Laois, Kilminchy in Portlaoise.
Plans are now on public display on Laois County Council’s consult.ie website, with public opinion welcomed up to October 21.
The advance to planning stage of the amenity for both the children and adults living in Kilminchy, has been welcomed as “a major milestone” by Kilminchy Owners’ Management CLG (known as Kilminchy Homeowners).
The group is working with Laois County Council to make the plan a reality.
“"Projects of this scale and complexity require tremendous patience, negotiation, and strategic planning," said a spokesperson for Kilminchy Homeowners.
"Since our community strongly backed the Green Infrastructure Plan in 2019, the board has worked tirelessly to deliver these amenities
incrementally. This new adventure playground and amenity area, to be developed over a number of years, will transform our local green spaces into a vibrant, multi-generational hub.”
The announcement follows a series of phased achievements by the management company over the last seven years:
In 2020, KMC transformed the estate's run-down tennis courts into multi-use areas for basketball, tennis, and five-a-side football.
“All equipment was meticulously selected for future proofing, ensuring it can be seamlessly integrated into the newly proposed upgraded ball courts,” they say.
In 2023 the Lakes Walking Trail Phase 1 construction began on a 1.8-metre-wide, age and mobility-friendly walking trail around the Kilminchy Lakes, funded by the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS).
In 2025 for Lakes Walking Trail Phase 2, the management company secured an additional €40,000 in funding, also from ORIS, to construct a further 700 metres of accessible pathway, perfectly accommodating walkers, joggers, wheelchairs, and buggies.
The plans and particulars for the Kilminchy Play and Amenity Area are currently available for public viewing as part of the Part VIII planning process with Laois County Council, online at the Laois County Council Consultation Portal or in person at the Laois County Council offices.
Residents are encouraged to view the plans and participate in the final planning phase of this landmark development.