First public outdoor basketball court unveiled at Limerick park

A RANGE of new physical activity enhancements have been announced for a Limerick city park, including the only public outdoor basketball court in the city.

Developed under the Active Cities initiative, in collaboration with Limerick City and County Council, Limerick Sports Partnership, Limerick Sports Partnership has unveiled additions to transform O’Brien Park into a hub for diverse recreational activities.

The latest upgrades include a state-of-the-art full-size basketball court, an outdoor volleyball area, and cutting-edge Teqball and table tennis tables.

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These additions complement the inclusive playground upgrade that was completed in September, catering to a broad spectrum of interests and age groups.

One of the standout features of the enhancements is the installation of BoxUp equipment lockers. These lockers offer free access to sports equipment.

Utilising the BoxUp app, users can unlock one of the six lockers stocked with equipment, which can be used for up to 3 hours. The app ensures inclusivity and accessibility by not requiring a credit card link for access. Users must, however, upload relevant photo ID to sign up for the app.

Upon returning the equipment to the locker, users are required to take a photograph through the app to verify the return. This uploaded photo acts as a confirmation, locking the relevant locker once again.

The BoxUp lockers provide equipment for various sports, including basketball, volleyball, table tennis, and Teqball, as well as outdoor gym equipment and activator poles.

These enhancements are made possible through the Active Cities Project, funded by Sport Ireland through the Dormant Accounts Fund. The project aims to shape recreational spaces across the city, promoting participation and improving accessibility. Additional funds for the O’Brien Park development were provided by Sláintecare Healthy Communities and Healthy Ireland.

Pat Quigley, Active Cities officer with Limerick Sports Partnership, stated: "This development provides the only public outdoor basketball court in the city, as well as offering a variety of options for other activities in the park."

Carmel Lynch, senior engineer with Limerick City & County Council, stressed the sigificance of introducing sports facilities into local parks: "The inclusion of sporting facilities in public parks ensures that physical activity is available to all our citizens, encouraging social interaction and greatly enhancing the offering in our parks."

Phelim Macken, manager of Limerick Sports Partnership, commended the initiative: "The BoxUp concept is very innovative in complementing and facilitating physical activity opportunities afforded by the new amenities."