Funding boost for Moate park plans

Plans for a new Moate park have received a funding injection of close to a half a million euro today (Monday). The Minister for Environment Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan announced a total of €474,220.74, to Midland Amenity Park Ltd, to establish a park on the old cow park lands on the Mount Temple road, as part of the Village and Countryside Renewal and Development measure of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013. The ambitious development will consist of a series of paths, children's playground, a wetland reserve covering 7.8 acres, 12.5 acres of planted park land with native species and a bird hide. "This project will be of immense benefit to Moate with it's total project costs of €638,183.38 and the ethos of the park which will focus on ecological development, nature awareness, bio-diversity, and will be a valuable amenity resource from an educational as well as recreational standpoint. I know it will improve the quality of life and will strengthen the social and economic fabric for all the areas inhabitants," Minister Hogan said.