The park, which is an important piece of community infrastructure for the town, sees Meath County Council invest nearly €1 million to provide new and up-graded playgrounds for the children of Ashbourne. Also, included is an amphitheatre together with a mural wall. The park is also linked to Ashbourne town centre by a reinstated pedestrian footbridge. The history of the area will be captured on signage boards, following the discovery of the ruins of Killegland Castle during archaeological investigations of the site.
Following detailed consultation with the people of Ashbourne, Gwen Tierney of Landmark Designs developed the concept of a Linear Park for Ashbourne with the detailed design carried out by Fehily Timoney & Co. in conjunction with Brady Shipman Martin. The concept design was a Linear Park along the Broadmeadow River divided into 7 zones extending from Ballybin Road to Milltown Road. The Linear Park will allow the residents of Ashbourne to fully enjoy the amenity of the river with the provision of a walkway along the riverside together with the development of the playground and other facilities.
Speaking at the official opening Jackie Maguire, Chief Executive Meath County Council said “This park is a flagship project for the Council, a significant part of the sustainable development of Ashbourne and will play a key role improving the quality of life for people and children living in the local communities.”
Jackie continued, “The importance of this park and other similar investments is borne out by the last census data which showed that 30% of the population of Ashbourne was under 18 years of age. 21% of the population was aged 10 or under and 12% were 5 years of age or under. This park can very much be part of their growing-up and provide them with opportunities for safe play, to make friends and to get involved in activities and various interests that will shape and make them as citizens of the future.”
Cathaoirleach Cllr. Wayne Harding added “it is great to see projects like this come to fruition and I hope that the Linear Park can have long-lasting and a real positive impact on the lives of local people. It is a facility that can cater for the needs of a number of generations, all designed and constructed to the highest of standards.”
The project has delivered a new play space for children with separate play areas for younger and older children with suitable lighting throughout the area, the construction of an amphitheatre area which can host outdoor performances with electrical supply available, reinstallation of footbridge which will provide a direct link to the centre of the town for residents and extensive landscaping throughout.