Playground meadow for bees ‘no threat’ to children

Date Published: 09-Apr-2012

By Judy Murphy

Plans to plant a wildflower meadow in a playground near the Salthill Atlantaquaria to attract bees and butterflies won’t put children at risk, says Caitriona Cunningham of Conservation Volunteers, Galway.

The Atlantaquaria playground is one of three city locations that have been chosen by the Conservation Volunteer Group, in conjunction with the Council’s Parks and Wildlife Department to host wildflower meadows. These will attract the butterflies and bees, which are vital for pollinating crops and plants such as strawberries, raspberries, apples, tomatoes, carrots and onions. However, some parents have expressed fears that honeybees, wasps bumblebees, which are attracted by the flowers, might sting children playing nearby.

That should not be a problem, says Ms Cunningham, as specific areas will be planted and these will be well advertised.

“There will be signs erected stating these are wildflower meadows,” explains Ms Cunningham. “And they will also support other species such as ladybirds as well – the children will love that.”

She points out that many domestic gardens have wildflowers, so children should be used to dealing with bees.

The signs in the playground will advise people not to trample on the flowers and to be vigilant, she says.

“It’s a question of being careful and not aggravating them. We’ve been running summer camps in Barna Woods for the last two years – the kids have found them fascinating, and have had no problem with bees.”

And she says that the decline in bees and butterflies is so worrying that action is needed.

Read more in today’s Connacht Sentinel