New plan needed for Town Park, says Davitt

A suggestion that planning for the management of the town park in Mullingar be done on a three-year basis has been made by Cllr Aoife Davitt.

At May’s meeting of the Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad, where she was informed by officials that there is a plan prepared annually, Cllr Davitt suggested that a longer-term vision be adopted, similar, she said, to the practice at Dún na Sí in Moate.

The Fianna Fáil woman also felt the views of the public on how the park develops should be sought.

Cllr Davitt reminded members that there had been an undertaking given that there would be a memorial record installed at the park showing the work done via the Mullingar Rocks project which had run during the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic; she also felt there should be more use made of fountains and that it was time to upgrade some of the equipment.

“I’m asking for a longer-term plan so that we can look at one thing; upgrade it, and then move to the next part,” she said, suggesting that the park have equipment installed that was suitable for people of all ages and all abilities.

Support came from Cllr Ken Glynn, especially with regard to the commitment that a marker of the Mullingar Rocks idea be displayed in the park, while Cllr Bill Collentine said that it is a great amenity and that Mullingar Tidy Towns works closely with the council on advancing the park.

Director of services Deirdre O’Reilly agreed that such an approach could be examined, but said she would reserve her view for now on Cllr Davitt’s suggestion that a consultation process be put in place.

However, she promised, once she has spoken with other parties involved and considered what the best approach would be, she will return with a proposal.