Novel community park in County Roscommon to be opened

After seven years of hard work, planning and gathering funds by local volunteers and the Elphin Area Community Enterprise (EACA), also known as the Windmill committee, the Palace NeighbourWood Park and sensory garden is ready to be officially opened on Wednesday, August 20th at 2 p.m., as part of National Heritage Week.

Following a promise from Roscommon County Council to cover insurance and issue a long term lease on the six acre plot of land, the committee saw an opportunity to develop the park – the first of its kind in County Roscommon.

Funding for the project was minimal, and only for the perseverance of the committee and the many hours of hard work put in by volunteers is the NeighbourWood Park at its finished stage.

The EACA committee exhausted every grant they could, receiving funding from the Department of Agriculture Forestry Division, NeighbourWood scheme, Roscommon Leader, Western Development Commission and Water in Communities.

Various departments of Roscommon County Council also provided funding including Heritage, Arts and Culture, Biodiversity and Climate Action, and Outdoor Recreation.

What has culminated from the grants received and the voluntary work is a beautiful natural space, with over 5,000 native Irish trees, ponds and aquatic features – all of which is wheelchair accessible.

Since the trees and shrubbery were planted between 2019 and 2020, they have only been organically treated, allowing for wildlife and fauna to flourish. It has already proven popular with walkers who are able to freely access the park.

Incorporated into the park are numerous aspects outside of nature, such as culture and heritage in the sensory garden. In the garden is a stone, erected as a focal point and a commemoration Oisín of Tír na nÓg’s association with Ail Finn.

The talented Hannah Mole of Earth Care also created the garden around themes of ancient Celtic designs, along with plants that appeal to all five of the senses.

Both the sensory garden and the ambient natural backdrop creates an ideal setting for walks and picnics, which is accommodated by benches, tables and shelter scattered across the park.

Contemporary views collaborate with the traditional on the walk as the newly laid 1km footpath joins up with the Palace Treeline Walk. The trees that were planted by Bishop Synge in the mid-18th century stand as a reminder of the importance of maintaining natural forestry.

The proximity of Elphin Windmill adds to the NeighbourWood Park experience and combines well for school trips, covering topics such as heritage, history and natural sciences.

The EACA committee wish to extend their deepest gratitude to everyone that volunteered their time to help plant trees and maintain the park since its inception. Without those volunteers, the project would not have gotten over the line.

Also thanked for their efforts were: the Neary brothers, Niall McLoughlin, Trevor Hunt, JJ McWeeney, all the CE Scheme workers, Hannah Mole, Barry Beirne, Roscommon Leader and Roscommon County Council.

For their part, the EACA committee deserve huge credit in gathering funds and persevering to get the project finished.

All are welcome to the official opening of the Palace NeighbourWood Park and sensory garden taking place at Windmill Road (F45 E289) next Wednesday at 2 p.m. by Cathaoirleach Liam Callaghan.