Ambitious plans for further developing town park and plaza

DESPITE lockdown, Cllr Ian Doyle confirms that development of Charleville Town Park and Plaza in still on track.

Having secured funding from Cork County Council, the park development is divided into three sections. The first phase was to upgrade the existing playground, which is now complete. The second was to construct a pedestrian crossing from the town car park to the green area by opening a new entrance towards the middle of the park and providing a designated pedestrian crossing lights to ensure the safety of all users.

This section is now going to the planning stage, and should be completed as soon as possible.

The third phase was the upgrade of the existing circular walkway and provision of timed lights in this area.

Coupled with this, Cllr Doyle said that funding has also been secured to enhance and upgrade Charleville Town Plaza, making it more attractive as a main convening point, and attractive centre to our town.

It is also hoped to make a natural attractive walkway up to the car park and through to the Town Park.

The upgrading of the children’s playground and amenity areas in the Town Park, which was opened last summer, proved to be hugely popular with the local population, who avail of the new facility to keep their children amused. The very much improved children’s play area has up to 20 elements for children, including a new soft surface to keep them safe in the event of their falling over, and new and extra seating around the area which is enclosed by a perimeter fence to ensure the further safety of children.

The work was carried out by Cork County Council on the amenity area, which is extensively used by both locals, and people from the surrounding areas, following lobbying of the Council by both Cllr Ian Doyle, who secured funding of €100,000 to cover the cost of the upgrade.

The improvements to the park were also welcomed by Michael Moynihan, T.D., who said that the new improvements will further enhance the attractiveness of the park, and should ensure even more, the use of the amenity by local people.

This will also include the widening of the circular walkway to accommodate runners, and lighting so that the amenity may be used throughout the year.

It is also planned to change the entrance to the area from its present location, and it is to be aligned with the entrance to the walkway connecting Charleville library with the Main Street through the Town Plaza, as well as improving the car parking facilities for motorists.

There will also be a new landscaping plan for the green areas of the park.