Benches at an Ennis park are “so dirty” that members of the public are unable to sit on them, an elected representative has claimed with another councillor highlighting the “untapped potential” of the area.
Referencing “the park opposite the Mill House”, Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) asked that it be “examined and assessed for maintenance”. She stated that the benches, fencing, lighting and lawns were all in “very poor condition with the benches being in such a state of disrepair as to render them unusable even on a sunny day”.
Clare County Council’s pollinator plan has been adhered to at the location by the grass cutting contractor, senior executive engineer Eamon O’Dea outlined by commencing the grass cutting late in April and gradually reducing the grass height through May “to retain as much natural flowers to assist the pollinators”.
O’Dea added, “The benches are in good order but would benefit from some decorating”. He said the park is included in “the list of works” for the Ennis Municipal District’s painting contract for 2021. “The river walk from Mill Bridge to Victoria Bridge is part of the lower frequency street cleaning schedule and I have requested that the Cloughleigh carpark and river bank walk is included in that rota”.
Speaking at a recent meeting of the Ennis MD, Cllr Colleran Molloy noted that with the amount of people walking presently it was “sad to see the state” of the park. She questioned if the benches would be painted and flagged that the she was unable to sit on them “because they were so dirty”. The benches will need to be scrubbed down before painting, O’Dea replied.
More help is needed to activate the potential of the area, Cllr Mary Howard (FG) affirmed. “That park is one of three parks in that little area, it is a little oasis on that side of town with the children’s memorial park, hurler’s park and riverwalk. They are untapped with massive potential”.
