28/05/2009 -

Forthilll Park Opened

Mayor Praises Excellence of Parks Programme

The Mayor of Sligo Councillor Veronica Cawley feels the new Forthill Park ‘shows can be achieved when the Local Authority works in active partnership with the local community’. The Mayor was speaking at the official opening of phase 2 of the Forthill development, and was joined by Borough Councillors, members of Northside Community Partnership, and people from the area.

- Left to Right - Michael Condren, Parks Department, Anna Jones, Councillor Arthur gibbons, Mayor Councillor Veronica Cawley, Councillor Jonathan McGoldrick and Councillor Declan Bree

The Park has extensive recreation areas and associated pathways, a new access road and car and coach parking areas. Later this year, the next phase of the programme will see the completion of a natural grass sand-carpet playing pitch, which will replace the ‘sloping’ pitch associated for many years by Glenview Stars. 

The Mayor placed the project in context ‘A few short years ago, Sligo Borough Council set out on a major programme to transform the landscape of our city to met the demands of a growing urban population. The benefits of this endeavour are plain for all to see, and the ‘Greening of Sligo’ is one of the most popular and successful initiatives delivered by Sligo Borough Council. Our Parks Department manages 8 playing pitches, 6 playgrounds, a range of landscaped inner city areas, 33 acres of partially landscaped open space and 290 acres of undeveloped space. The expertise and dedication of our Parks Department of our Parks Department have ensured this programme has been delivered to the highest quality, and great credit is due to Michael Condren, Chief Executive Parks, and his staff for their excellent work in this area.’

The Mayor highlighted the role of the local community in the project. ‘The delivery of this amenity is due to the wholehearted commitment of the local community. The driving force behind this amenity has been the Northside Community Partnership, and I would like to commend Ann Donegan and her colleagues on the Board of Management.’ Sligo Borough Council was assisted in funding the project by the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism, Rapid, and the Dormant Accounts Fund.

 
- Impressive Views from newly opened Forthill Park