Ballyshannon celebrated the opening of its new ‘Allingham Park’ this week by the Mayor, Cllr Enda Bonner in the presence of Ballyshannon Town Council Chairman, Cllr John Meehan.
An Environmental Improvement Scheme has been completed by Donegal County Council on the area formerly known as the Fairgreen, which has now been renamed as ’Allingham Park’. The Park has been renamed as a tribute to the native local poet, William Allingham and features stone monuments inscribed with verses of his poems.
The works completed at ‘Allingham Park’ have included:
- Under grounding of ESB and Eircom cables,
- Provision of new watermain, sewer & storm drainage,
- Provision of new kerbs and paved footpaths,
- Upgrading of existing stone walls & footpaths,
- Provision of decorative street lighting,
- Provision of new street furniture,
- Provision of new designated parking areas and
- Provision of decorative stone bollards with inscribed poetry, so-called ‘Poetry on the Rocks’.
Officially opening the new Park, the Mayor, Cllr Enda Bonner paid tribute to the Environment Improvement Scheme which had been completed to the highest standard by the Council. He referred to the close involvement of the local community in the development of the Scheme through the numerous local consultation meetings and that it was at their behest that this area of Ballyshannon, as the entry point to the town, be regenerated.
Funding for this scheme has been sourced from Council’s own resources, the Peace II Programme, BMW Operational Programme for Urban and Village Renewal 2000-2006 (funded by the Irish Government and Part-Financed by the European Union under the National Development Plan 2000 – 2006), and the Ballyshannon Town Council.
Upgrading works have also recently commenced at The Mall Park, Ballyshannon to include the provision of paved walkways, street furniture, street lighting, a children’s playground and upgrading of the car park.
