Funding secured for €130,000 walkway in Mallow Town Park
FUNDING of almost €130,000 has been allocated by Cork County Council for the development of a dedicated walkway through Mallow Town Park.
The funding for the ambitious project has been allocated on foot of a joint application between the authority and the Avondhu Blackwater Partnership under the 2016 Rural Recreation Scheme.
It represents the single largest investment of the 75 projects around the country announced by Junior Heritage Minister Michael Ring under the latest round of the scheme.
The project, will entail works along a 1.9km section of the Avondhu Blackwater Way from the park eastwards along the River Blackwater with a connection to Mallow Castle.
Proposed works will include the provision/upgrade of concrete paths, two new footbridges, seating and signage.
The council has lodged a Part 8 planning applications for the works, which can be view in full at their offices in Annabella House.
James Fogarty, divisional manager with Cork County Council, which purchased the 24-acre park from the Jephson family for just over €1million last year, said the project was key element in the overall plan for the development of local amenities in Mallow.
“It represents the first of many potential partnership opportunities between us and Avondhu Blackwater under the umbrella of the Local and Community Development Committee,” said Mr Fogarty.
“We can now look forward to significant further funding for the North Cork region with the rollout of the new LEADER programme 2014-2020,” he added.
Avondhu Blackwater CEO Valerie Murphy said the project was a key element in their strategic investment in walking and rural recreation across North Cork.
“The provision of significant recreation infrastructure within Mallow town will benefit local residents and visitors alike,” she said.
Her comments were backed up by Fáilte Ireland figures showing that in 2014 some 1.2 million visitors to the country took part in hiking or cross country walking during their stay.
It is estimated that the revenue generated by both walkers and cyclists during the year was in the region of €1.2 billion, representing a massive boost to the economy.
Local county councillor John Paul O’Shea welcomed the fact that the development of the new Town Park walkway will help Mallow realise a greater share of this annual revenue. “The allocation of funding for this project is wonderful news for Mallow and represents the first major investment in the Town Park, under the ownership of Cork County Council,” said Cllr O’Shea.
“It will provide a welcome link between the east and west of the town, while also proving a connection to Mallow Castle,” he added.