New seating and path repairs were part of the park’s upgrade.

Popular park gets fabulous facelift

A popular park in West Cork has been brought back to its sparkling best thanks to an extensive revitalisation project.

Chateaulin Orchard Town Park in Clonakilty completed its stunning €54,000 makeover recently after being identified in the 2022 Tidy Towns adjudication report.

The park’s proximity to the town centre, educational facilities, public carpark, and several residential areas, made it the perfect candidate for the Cork County Council-led project.

The upgrades included restoring a collapsed section of stone wall, commissioning a tree assessment report, the pruning and removing of trees where necessary, replacing decayed sleepers with more durable materials, and renewing kerbing. Additional improvements involved relevelling and repairing paths and lawns, landscaping, installing new gates, and providing new seating.

Recognising the value of the space, Cork County Council successfully secured €30,000 in funding through the Community Recognition Fund. This, in combination with €24,000 from the council’s own resources, enabled a series of much-needed upgrades.

The Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr Mary Linehan Foley welcomed the project, complimenting it for breathing new life into a vital public space in Clonakilty. “Not only does it support Cork County Council’s goal of inclusive community development, but it also recognises the essential role Clonakilty has played in welcoming new residents,” she said.