Sligo Borough Council - Recreation and Amenity

Recreation and Amenity

How Budget is Spent

Payroll - €287,446
Operational - €464,815
Administration - €0
Establishment - €0
Financial - €10,000
Miscellaneous - €0

Sources of Funding

State Grant and Subsidies - €0
Goods and Services - €26,200
Rates - €490,874
Local Government Fund - €245,187

Parks and Open Spaces

Introduction

In 2007 the Parks Department continued to assist with the development of sustainable communities through the vehicle of well planned high quality recreational infra structure. Our green infrastructure contributes value to Sligo city in a wide diversity of ways. The economic benefits of good quality green infrastructure have internationally been quantified and measured in terms of :-

Health and well being benefits
Social and community development benefits
Economic benefits
Environmental benefits
Educational benefits
Tourism benefits
Range of other benefits

The Parks Department mandate is to develop great parks and make Sligo a green city and a desirable place to work and live. Sligo Borough Council manages on an active basis 7 playing pitches, 4 playgrounds, a range of landscaped inner urban areas, 33 acres of partially landscaped and developed open space, and 290 acres of undeveloped open space incorporating woodland, pathways and undeveloped agricultural pastureland. Works conducted by the Parks Department on the developed open space areas include grass cutting, litter collection, maintenance of landscaping, maintenance of fencing, tree management and planting, maintenance of monuments and parks furniture.

Capital Programme

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

Cartron Foreshore – Seaview Drive Promenade

A new promenade was completed in 2007. 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.

Markievicz Road – Old Swimming Pool

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.

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.

Sligo Local Authorities have throughout 2007 worked in conjunction with a range of local , regional and national partners to prepare a submission and seek funding under the GIF for the development of Cleveragh Regional Park and three other projects (Eastern Garavouge Bridge, Enhancement of O’ Connell Street and the Connaughton Road Cultural Quarter). This funding is vital to the development of Sligo as a Gateway city. It is hoped that Sligo Local Authorities efforts to have Cleveragh Regional Park recognised will be rewarded with significant funding in 2008.

Seaview Park

The new recreational facility 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, multisports area, children’s playground area, wetland area, walking tracks and landscaping. The new facility has been warmly welcomed by all.

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. Works on the 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 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 and will be due to open in summer 2008. 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.

Forthill Municipal Park

Capital works on this project were delayed in 2007 due to the failure of National Sports Lottery to fund the development. Works will now proceed in 2008 aided by the decision of council to fund the new facilities using development contributions.

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 Key, Bundoran Road, Union Street with funding assistance from the Urban and Village Renewal Programme.

In 2007 the Parks Department continued to review and assist the Planning Department with landscape issues associated with planning applications. Professional landscape design input was also provided to Roads and Architects Sections on a diverse range of projects as required.

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.

The Parks Department acknowledges the tremendous co-operation, enthusiasm and commitment by the County Manager, elected members and all Parks staff to a programme of continuous improvement to the condition and quality of Sligo's green areas.

A provision of €624,325 is included for Parks and Open Spaces (Operation and Maintenance) in 2008.

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Home News Council Members sligo400 About Us Contact Us Services Publications Annual Report 2001 Annual Report 2002 Annual Report 2003 Annual Report 2004 Annual Report 2005 Annual Report 2006 Annual Report 2007 Annual Report 2008 Annual Report 2010 Corporate Plan Contact Summer 2007 eContact 2006 eContact 2007 eContact 2008 Sligo Borough Council Draft Budget 2008 Foreward by Director of Services Development Contributions Housing and Building Road Transportation and Safety Development Incentives and Controls Environmental Protection Recreation and Amenity Agriculture, Education, Health and Welfare Miscellaneous Services Local Authority Budget eContact 2009 eContact 2010 Section 15 Reference Manual Council Meetings Development Plans	Recreation and Amenity How Budget is Spent Payroll - €287,446 Operational - €464,815 Administration - €0 Establishment - €0 Financial - €10,000 Miscellaneous - €0 Sources of Funding State Grant and Subsidies - €0 Goods and Services - €26,200 Rates - €490,874 Local Government Fund - €245,187 Parks and Open Spaces Introduction In 2007 the Parks Department continued to assist with the development of sustainable communities through the vehicle of well planned high quality recreational infra structure. Our green infrastructure contributes value to Sligo city in a wide diversity of ways. The economic benefits of good quality green infrastructure have internationally been quantified and measured in terms of :- Health and well being benefits Social and community development benefits Economic benefits Environmental benefits Educational benefits Tourism benefits Range of other benefits The Parks Department mandate is to develop great parks and make Sligo a green city and a desirable place to work and live. Sligo Borough Council manages on an active basis 7 playing pitches, 4 playgrounds, a range of landscaped inner urban areas, 33 acres of partially landscaped and developed open space, and 290 acres of undeveloped open space incorporating woodland, pathways and undeveloped agricultural pastureland. Works conducted by the Parks Department on the developed open space areas include grass cutting, litter collection, maintenance of landscaping, maintenance of fencing, tree management and planting, maintenance of monuments and parks furniture. Capital Programme Year 2007 was an exciting, challenging and busy year for the Parks Department. A range of exciting capital projects were completed or are underway which will contribute enormously to the quality of life for people in the Borough and environs. Projects completed by the Parks Department in 2007 include:- Cartron Foreshore – Seaview Drive Promenade A new promenade was completed in 2007. 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. Markievicz Road – Old Swimming Pool 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. 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. Sligo Local Authorities have throughout 2007 worked in conjunction with a range of local , regional and national partners to prepare a submission and seek funding under the GIF for the development of Cleveragh Regional Park and three other projects (Eastern Garavouge Bridge, Enhancement of O’ Connell Street and the Connaughton Road Cultural Quarter). This funding is vital to the development of Sligo as a Gateway city. It is hoped that Sligo Local Authorities efforts to have Cleveragh Regional Park recognised will be rewarded with significant funding in 2008. Seaview Park The new recreational facility 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, multisports area, children’s playground area, wetland area, walking tracks and landscaping. The new facility has been warmly welcomed by all. 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. Works on the 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 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 and will be due to open in summer 2008. 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. Forthill Municipal Park Capital works on this project were delayed in 2007 due to the failure of National Sports Lottery to fund the development. Works will now proceed in 2008 aided by the decision of council to fund the new facilities using development contributions. 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 Key, Bundoran Road, Union Street with funding assistance from the Urban and Village Renewal Programme. In 2007 the Parks Department continued to review and assist the Planning Department with landscape issues associated with planning applications. Professional landscape design input was also provided to Roads and Architects Sections on a diverse range of projects as required. 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. The Parks Department acknowledges the tremendous co-operation, enthusiasm and commitment by the County Manager, elected members and all Parks staff to a programme of continuous improvement to the condition and quality of Sligo's green areas. A provision of €624,325 is included for Parks and Open Spaces (Operation and Maintenance) in 2008.

© Sligo Borough Council, City Hall, Quay Street, Sligo, Ireland. T: 071 9114400 F: 071 9114499 E: info@sligoborough.ie