A ‘Chatty Bench’ – which is designed to tackle loneliness and support positive mental health by giving people a place to meet and talk – should be installed in Lurgan Park.
Such benches have already been put in places in other public parks across Northern Ireland.
And according to one local councillor Lurgan Park is a natural next when it comes to location.
The Alliance Party’s Peter Lavery said he thinks the installation of a ‘Chatty Bench’ in Lurgan Park would be a “positive step in helping to improve local residents’ mental health by offering an opportunity for people to come together for a chat”.
He added: “Similar benches have already been installed in the likes of Dungannon Park, Castle Gardens in Antrim and Shaftesbury Park in Carrickfergus to great success, so I don’t want Lurgan to miss out.
“I have already had conversations with the relevant council officials to progress the matter and they have confirmed that a number of locations are being considered across the borough for a ‘Chatty Bench’ and Lurgan Park is on the list of potential locations.”
His party colleague Councillor Eóin Tennyson has also supported the call.
He added: “Covid-19 highlighted the impact of loneliness and isolation, particularly when it comes to the most vulnerable members of society.
“As Lurgan Park is the second largest urban park in Ireland, and has a large daily footfall, it would be an ideal location for a Chatty Bench to bring people together.”
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