Minister Humphreys turns sod on new Monksland community park
Minister Heather Humphreys visited Monksland recently and turned the sod on the new Monksland Community Park.
The park is being delivered with Town and Village funding of just over €750,000, along with approximately 9% matched funding from Roscommon County Council and Monksland Town Team.
The project incorporates a multi-use, multi-generational space, consisting of play areas and play equipment, a skate park and a shaded dwell area along with trails, seating, lighting and car parking facility.
The new park is expected to provide connectivity between residential and commercial areas in Monksland, along with a biodiversity area and a performance space with tiered seating.
Minister Humphreys stated: "This new development will create a wonderful community space and it's going to be a place for people of all ages to come."
She added that she believes the park will be a "wonderful asset" that will attract many people to Monksland. "This is just the beginning of a broader transformation project that's planned for Monksland. It's very exciting for the region and I really want to say well done to everybody and I wish you every success as the project proceeds."
The chief executive of Roscommon County Council, Shane Tiernan, commented: "We're developing this very exciting masterplan to ensure that Monksland grows sustainably in a correct sense."
The cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council, Cllr John Keogh said that the new park development will meet the needs of an expanding population with young families as well as young professionals living in the area.
"The development of the new Monksland public park, along with the planned community hub, are planned to enhance the community facilities and make a further contribution towards putting the heart into Monksland. This park will be a catalyst development for the centre of Monksland."
The need for the project was identified in reports and studies conducted by Roscommon County council and Monksland town team, in conjunction with local stakeholders.
Design of the park was undertaken by BDP (Building Design Partnership), and construction is being carried out by Kenny Civils and Plant Ltd, with an expected completion date of the final quarter of this year.