Councillors for the Kildare-Newbridge MD briefed on plans for local parks

Two presentations were delivered to councillors who represent the Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District (MD) on Wednesday, March 20 last.

The first presentation related to Kildare County Council's (KCC) Parks Works Programme planned for the MD in 2024, while the second related to the MD’s Open Space Management plan for 2024.

Speaker Simon Wallace, who is KCC's Acting Parks and Landscaping Officer, delivered the first presentation, which started with a review of the previous year’s work programme, with particular emphasis on the progress of the following sites: St Brigid’s Well, Moore Abbey, the second playground proposed for Newbridge, and the Old Kilcullen Heritage Trail.

As for 2024 projects, the following were discussed by Mr Wallace: Cherry Avenue, the Newbridge Natural Play Area (which will be located in the Liffey Linear Park), potential feasibility for a link between Monasterevin-Portarlington, and the Old Kilcullen Heritage Route.

Mr Wallace also detailed works related to tree planting, grass maintenance, in addition to how it links in with certain planning and administration factors.

In addition, he highlighted the staff structure within his Department, and one slide showed how the Department has recruited more staff over the past year.

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QUESTIONS

He then opened the floor for questions, and Mr Wallace received a litany of enquiries from councillors.

When Fianna Fáil Cllr Noel Heavey asked Mr Wallace about the potential delivery of the Newbridge Natural Play Area, he told Cllr Heavey: "Probably sometime in July, we (KCC) are just finalising the contract (for works)."

Fine Gael Cllr Kevin Duffy briefly commented to say that he welcomed the works carried out at Moore Abbey.

Another Fine Gael representative for the MD, Cllr Tracey O’Dwyer, enquired about the number of communication boards installed in the MD over the past year.

In response to her query, Mr Wallace said that five had been installed throughout the county, and one in the MD, but added that KCC 'intends to continue this rollout in the future.'

Fianna Fáil Cllr Suzanne Doyle said that it was 'encouraging' to see the works as Cherry Avenue, but added that she had concerns over the present seats located at St Brigid’s Well.

Her party colleague, Cllr Rob Power, told Mr Wallace that the playgrounds works carried out thus far 'are to a very high standard.'

Cllr Power added: "I think you will do a fantastic job in Newbridge."

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SECOND PRESENTATION

KCC’s Climate Action Co-ordinator, Paula O’Rourke, delivered the second presentation through video-link.

She provided a timeline of KCC’s Open Space Management strategy since 2019.

Ms O’Rourke also outlined a list of collaborations with KCC, in particular regarding collaborations with its Grass 2 Gas programme, which relates to biogas and an end goal to reduce carbon emissions in the county..

She briefly outlined the research that KCC had conducted in order to help them understand the best way to implement the programme.

Ms O’Rourke further said that KCC had been considering three different sites within the county for the programme: Wonderful Barn, Parc na nÓg and one section of land near the Monread region.

FUNDING

When the floor was opened to questions by Ms O’Rourke, Cllr Doyle asked her about the budget for the Open Spaces Management programme.

In response, she said: "It will all depend on what (funding) is (made) available to us."

Cllr Doyle then asked Ms O’Rourke: "Should we start engaging in something (else) that creates revenue?"

Ms O’Rourke replied: "Potentially, yes."