11/12/2007 -

The Greening of Sligo - Sligo Borough Council’s Recreation and Amenity Programme

Sligo Borough Council’s Senior Executive, Parks, Michael Condren sees his Department’s mandate as ‘developing great parks, making Sligo a green city and a desirable place to work and live.’

Year 2007 was an exciting, challenging and busy year for the Parks Department. A range of new capital projects were completed or are underway which will contribute enormously to the quality of life for people in the Borough and environs.

Review of 2007 Parks Programme

Cartron Foreshore – Seaview Drive Promenade

A new promenade was completed this year. Overlooking Cartron Bay, the scenic setting of the new promenade provides spectacular views of Benbulben to the northeast .Works included paving, lighting, retention walls, landscaping and a circular viewing platform with telescope for wildlife viewing. Seaview Drive promenade has been designed to facilitate access to all visitors to the promenade.

Amenity Area at  Markievicz Road

Located on the site of the ‘old’ swimming pool beside Markievicz Road, the Cartron Recreation Area project has seen the transformation of a derelict area into a public waterside amenity space. Works included demolition of the old pool and boundary walls, drainage, earthworks, top soiling, ducting, and development of paved areas. 

The outline of the old swimming pool site has been retained through the use of raised seating and the regrading of the area to create a new amenity space. The facility includes new paved promenade walkways, lighting, viewing areas and a central grass lawn area for public use.

Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the Riverside project were funded by way of grant assistance from the Urban and Village Renewal Scheme 2000 - 2006, with matching funding being provided from development levies.

Cleveragh Regional Park

The development of this key element of recreational infrastructure for Sligo has previously been hindered by lack of central Government funding. The National Development Plan has identified Sligo as a Gateway to capitalise on it’s strategic location and energise it associated hinterland. A Gateway Innovation Fund ( GIF) has been established to assist the Gateways areas to develop as part of the National Development Plan.

Seaview Park

The new recreational facility at Seaview Park was completed and officially opened by the Mayor of Sligo, Cllr. Jonathon McGoldrick in September 2007. The six acre park has an array of new facilities including a full size grass playing pitch, multi-sports area, children’s playground area, wetland area, walking tracks and landscaping. The new facility has been warmly welcomed by the community.

Hillside Adventure Park Playground  

A refurbishment scheme for the playground, including the installation of a range of new play equipment and upgraded security fencing, was completed in 2007. A new cable rider was installed with the assistance of €30,000 from the Rapid Playground Grant Scheme
Doorly Park

The derelict overgrown site at Doorly Park has been transformed into a new recreational area. Works on site in 2007 have created a range of recreational facilities including kick- about grass pitch, multi use games area, pedestrian pathways, cycle ways, lighting, seating areas, car parking and landscaped areas.

A new playground will also be developed as part of the recreational facility with funding of €33,000 from RAPID and €60,000 from the local government playground grant scheme secured. Works on additional playground elements are programmed to commence in early 2008 pending completion of pitch, car park and multi sports facilities

North West Trail

Sligo Borough Council Parks Department secured funding from Failte Ireland and Sustrans to further develop cycling routes and the North West Trail in 2007. A section of the new cycle- way walking route is currently under construction in Doorly Park and Cleveragh. The overall North West Trail is a signed circular cycle route passing through counties Donegal, Tyrone, Fermanagh, Leitrim and Sligo. When completed it will be some 326 kilometres long and will pass through the main towns of Lifford, Strabane, Omagh, Enniskillen, Sligo and Donegal

The Greening of Sligo

A range of attractive timber planters were planted with mature trees and under planting and installed in locations at O Connell Street, Ballast Quay , Bundoran Road, Union Street with funding assistance from the Urban and Village Renewal Programme.

Sligo Wildflowers on Inner Relief Road

A range of landscape improvement works was undertaken at various sites. Existing landscaped areas were enhanced including the extensive use of planter boxes, hanging baskets at Rockwood and Kennedy Parade. The floral displays for 2007 added colour and interest to high profile locations and, allied with the new planter displays, and wild flower displays along the inner relief road, assisted with the development of an image of Sligo as a clean, green city.

AWARDS FOR RIVERSIDE ENHANCEMENT PROJECT

Sligo Borough Council’s Riverside Enhancement Project, which was completed in December 2006, has been recognised by the R.I.A.I. (Institute of Architects of Ireland) Annual Awards jury by its selection for exhibition in two categories, Best Public place and Best Accessible Project 

- Upgraded Promenade at Seaview Drive

- New cycle and walking trail at Doorly Park