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