The Civic Dollars app rewards people for spending time outdoors in designated “earn zones” across Waterford. For every 30 minutes spent in these areas, users earn Civic Dollars which can then be exchanged for rewards from participating local businesses or donated to community organisations and charities.

The initiative supports the Healthy Waterford vision of making the county a healthier, happier place to live by promoting physical activity, mental wellbeing, and social engagement. And also Waterford Sports Partnerships vision of Active People, Active Place, by encouraging people to get outdoors and be active.

You can earn Civic Dollars in the following outdoor spaces:

📍Waterford City & Tramore: The People’s Park, Maypark Trail, SETU Arena, Waterford Nature Park and River Walk, Kingsmeadow Green Space, Waterford Greenway, Ballybricken Green, Tramore Prom & Beach, Donerail Walk, Dunmore East Cliff Walk

 📍Dungarvan & West Waterford: Walton Park, Ballysaggart Towers, Colligan Wood, Ardmore Cliff Walk, Mount Melleray Pilgrim Paths, Cappoquin Sports Grounds and River Walk

📍Comeragh Area: Mahon Falls Walk, Anne Valley Walk, Mount Congreve Gardens

Walk, jog, hike or just relax in the outdoors. Every minute spent outdoors makes a difference. 💚

📲 Download Civic Dollars and start earning this weekend! You can then use your dollars to redeem prizes or donate to a local charity! #SustainableLiving #BankHolidayWeekend #CivicDollars’

If you would like to find out more about the Civic Dollars Project, please contact Eoin Morrissey eoinmorrissey@waterfordcouncil.ie  or Lauren Walsh Kett lwalshkett@waterfordsportspartnership.ie

Waterford Sports Partnership and Waterford City & County Council Launch Play Pack Loan Scheme in Two Waterford City Libraries
Building on the success of last year’s Pilot Play Pack Loan Scheme at Lismore Library, Waterford Sports Partnership and Healthy Waterford (Waterford City & County Council) have once again teamed up with Waterford Libraries to expand the initiative to communities in Waterford City. The two new Play Packs will now be available to loan from Ardkeen Library and Central Library.

Welcoming the expansion, Mayor of Waterford City & County, Cllr. Seamus Ryan, said the scheme reflects Waterford’s continued commitment to child-friendly, inclusive communities: “The Play Pack Loan Scheme is a fantastic example of how simple, creative initiatives can have a meaningful impact on families and communities. By expanding this scheme into Waterford City libraries, we are ensuring that more children have access to opportunities for play, learning and social connection, regardless of circumstance.”
This welcome expansion complements the popular Playful Communities initiative, which has been ongoing in County Waterford over recent years and focuses on encouraging play as a vital part of children’s physical, social and emotional development.

Sinéad Breathnach, Senior Executive Officer for Community and Sports with Waterford City & County Council, highlighted the wider benefits of the scheme: “Play is fundamental to children’s health and wellbeing. This partnership approach between Waterford Sports Partnership, Healthy Waterford and Waterford Libraries allows us to remove barriers to play by making high-quality, engaging play resources easily accessible within local communities.”

The scheme was designed to foster creativity, learning and fun for families and children within the community. The Play Packs, carefully curated, contain a variety of engaging toys, games and sporting equipment suitable for children of various ages. From toys and building blocks to puzzles and imaginative play sets, these packs are designed to spark curiosity and encourage active and imaginative play.
Mary Conway, Waterford City & County Librarian and Head of Culture, welcomed the role of libraries in supporting community wellbeing:
“Libraries are about much more than books – they are welcoming, inclusive spaces that support learning, creativity and connection. The Play Pack Loan Scheme aligns perfectly with our mission, and we are delighted to see it available in Ardkeen, Central and Lismore Libraries for families and community groups to enjoy. Over the course of 2026 we want to expand this into all our libraries across Waterford City and County”

Rosarie Kealy, Chief Executive Officer, Waterford Sports Partnership highlighted the fantastic partnerships invloved in the scheme: “The Play Pack Loan Scheme is an example of collaboration at its best.  Waterford Sports Partnership, Healthy Waterford and Waterford Libraries came together to develop a simple idea that provides play resources for people in their own communities, making it easier for children to play and be active.  We look forward to the expansion of the scheme to all Waterford libraries in 2026”

The Play Packs are now available for borrowing by library members, local community groups and residents’ associations from Ardkeen Library, Central Library and Lismore Library. Enquire about borrowing a Play Pack HERE

For further information, please contact Lauren Walsh Kett at lwalshkett@waterfordsportspartnership.ie or Eoin Morrissey at eoinmorrissey@waterfordcouncil.ie.

Waterford City and County builds on success of healthy and active communities programme

Healthy Waterford and Waterford Sports Partnership, along with key stakeholders including Buíon Phort Láirge, Sláintecare Healthy Communities, Waterford Libraries, the Community Safety Partnership, and the Waterford Childcare Committee, are partnering to roll out the Playful Communities initiative for 2026.

The Playful Communities initiative supports children and adults to safely play outdoors, and resident groups and support agencies are invited to apply to participate.

Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Seamus Ryan officially launched the initiative at Sacred Heart Family Resource Centre and spoke of his experience attending several Playful Communities events throughout 2025.

“Having seen first-hand the impact of the Playful Communities initiative at events across the city and county, it is clear that this exceptional programme fosters stronger connections among residents and highlights the vital, intergenerational role of play and social interaction within our communities.

“Following its success in 2025, I am hopeful that even more communities throughout Waterford will have the opportunity to participate this year.”

Sinéad Breathnach, Head of Waterford City and County Council’s Community and Sports Department, highlighted the value of the Playful Neighbourhoods and Communities approach, noting that the project demonstrates how the community sector can successfully empower residents to build resilient communities through inclusive and accessible opportunities for play and recreation.

She emphasised that, in the context of 2026 priorities, the initiative delivers measurable social, health and wellbeing outcomes, aligns strongly with Healthy Ireland and the Local Economic and Community Plan, and supports the Council’s commitments under the WHO Healthy Cities and Communities Programme. She further noted that the approach provides a shared framework that enables effective collaboration and alignment with a broad range of statutory, community and voluntary stakeholders.

Building on last year’s success, several Playful Neighbourhoods and Communities initiatives will be delivered across Waterford City and County between May and September 2026.

Expression of interest is now open for communities to apply to run an event in their area for 2026.
Click on this link to get involved: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZPNV596

For more information contact Lauren Walsh Kett on lwalshkett@waterfordsportspartnership.ie or Eoin Morrissey on eoinmorrissey@waterfordcouncil.ie

WATERFORD LAUNCHES CIVIC DOLLARS TO REWARD HEALTH AND WELLBEING AS PART OF THE HEALTHY WATERFORD PROGRAMME

Waterford City and County Council and Waterford Sports Partnership has officially launched Civic Dollars as part of its Healthy Waterford programme and Active Cities Project – a new initiative designed to encourage residents to enjoy the city and county’s parks and open spaces while improving health, wellbeing, and community connection.

The Civic Dollars app rewards people for spending time outdoors in designated “earn zones” across Waterford. For every 30 minutes spent in these areas, users earn Civic Dollars which can then be exchanged for rewards from participating local businesses or donated to community organisations and charities.

The initiative supports the Healthy Waterford vision of making the county a healthier, happier place to live by promoting physical activity, mental wellbeing, and social engagement. And also Waterford Sports Partnerships vision of Active People, Active Place, by encouraging people to get outdoors and be active.

Launching the programme, Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Seamus Ryan, said: “This is a fantastic initiative that encourages people to get outdoors and enjoy our beautiful parks and green spaces. Civic Dollars gives us a creative way to support physical and mental wellbeing while also boosting our local businesses and community groups. It’s about building a stronger, healthier Waterford for everyone.”

Eoin Morrissey, Healthy Waterford Coordinator, added: “Healthy Waterford is about supporting people to live full, active and healthy lives. The introduction of Civic Dollars adds a really engaging and inclusive way for people to make small positive changes that benefit their health and the wider community. Whether it’s a walk in the park, a family outing, or time spent in nature, every minute counts.”

Stephen McPeake, CEO and Founder of Civic Dollars, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Waterford City and County Council, Waterford Sports Partnership and the Healthy Waterford team to launch Civic Dollars in the county. This programme builds on our work across Ireland and internationally – from Donegal to Denmark to the USA – showing how rewarding people for simply spending time outdoors can have a real impact on health, wellbeing, and local economies. Waterford is a perfect place to bring this to life, and we’re excited to see how it helps residents get active and connected.”

The Civic Dollars initiative in Waterford forms part of the Healthy Ireland Framework and reflects the Council’s commitment to promoting physical activity and community wellbeing as part of its Healthy Waterford strategy.

If you would like to find out more about the Civic Dollars Project, please contact Eoin Morrissey eoinmorrissey@waterfordcouncil.ie  or Lauren Walsh Kett lwalshkett@waterfordsportspartnership.ie

Lismore Library First to Pilot Play Packs Building on Waterford’s Playful Communities Spirit

Lismore Library, in partnership with Waterford Sports Partnership and Healthy Waterford, is pleased to announce the launch of its Play Packs loan scheme designed to foster creativity, learning, and fun for young children in the community.

The Play Packs, carefully curated, contain a variety of engaging toys, games, and sporting equipment suitable for children of various ages. From toys and building blocks to puzzles and imaginative play sets, these packs are designed to spark curiosity and encourage play.

The launch event was attended by local councillors, library staff, Waterford Sports Partnership’s Active Cities Officer Lauren Walsh Kett, and Eoin Morrissey from Healthy Waterford, who have been delivering the Playful Communities (Streets) programme over the last number of years.

The launch of Lismore Library’s Play Packs was met with resounding enthusiasm from elected members in the community. Cllr. John Pratt praised the initiative as a testament to the library’s dedication to young residents, highlighting the invaluable learning opportunities through play, while Cllr. Donnchadh Mulcahy emphasised the packs’ role in fostering inclusivity and essential skill development, commending the library staff’s dedication.

Cllr. Niamh O’Donovan expressed her delight at the new resource, recognising its potential to provide more opportunities for families and organisations in the area to arrange community play days.

Debbie Johnston and Alan Butler explained the inspiration behind the Play Packs and their hopes for the initiative. Debbie Johnson remarked, “This adds to our library’s offerings to the community. We have seen the popularity of the Playful Communities project over the years and wanted to enable libraries to become a service to offer these packs to the community for loan.”

Alan Butler added, “In consultation with Waterford Sports Partnership and Healthy Waterford, we carefully selected the items in each Play Pack to ensure they are age-appropriate and aligned with early childhood development principles. Our goal is to provide resources that encourage creativity, problem-solving, and social interaction. We are excited to see how these packs will inspire and engage the children of Lismore and West Waterford.”

This initiative also builds upon the valuable work of the Playful Streets and Communities program run by Waterford Sports Partnership and Waterford City and County Council over the last number of years, in which over 80 individual communities throughout Waterford city and county participated.

The Play Packs will be available for borrowing by library members or local community groups. For further information, contact Lauren Walsh Kett at lwalshkett@waterfordsportspartnership.ie or Eoin Morrissey at eoinmorrissey@waterforcouncil.ie.

COMPLETE THE PLAY PACK BORROW FORM HERE

Waterford’s first Fitsticks Trail was officially launched on Wednesday 19^th February in SETU Arena. Waterford Sports Partnership, SETU Arena and FitWalk Ireland came together early in 2024 to facilitate and develop this great new amenity in Waterford City which was funded by the Active Cities Waterford Project via Sport Irelands, Dormant Accounts Fund.

The looped trail is just over 2km in length and follows the route of the ParkRun that is located at the Arena. The new trail provides an accessible and safe pathway that is well lit for people to use activator poles on and is free to use. The trail consists of an information board that demonstrates some warm-up and cool-down exercises, there are also stations placed along the route which provide the user with suggestions of different exercises they can try out using their activator poles such as squats and calf raises. All types of walking poles can be used on the trail, and it will be open to the community to use during SETU Arena opening hours which are 6am-10pm on weekdays and 9am-6pm on weekends. Activator poles will be available to borrow free of charge from reception at SETU Arena from the start of April 2025.

Waterford Sports Partnership is hosting Waterford Walking Week from Monday 7^th April so keep an eye on our social media for your chance to come and try out a tutor led session on the new Fitsticks Trail!

SPRAOI & Active Cities – Active Inclusion – Movement Workshop 16 years+

Spend an afternoon in the company of internationally renowned New Zealand artists Chloe Loftus and Rodney Bell for a creative movement session. Championing disability arts and inclusive practice, no experience is necessary to join this fun workshop that is designed to enhance your own unique movement possibilities, gaining an insight into the artist’s creative process. Open to wheelchair users aged 16 years+

BOOK YOUR PLACE HERE

For more information please contact Lauren Walsh Kett on 087 117 8578
or email: lwalshkett@waterfordsportspartnership.ie