A new flagship park has been officially opened in the County Meath town of Ashbourne.

Ashbourne Linear Park was delivered through a €1 million programme of works, including the installation of new and upgraded playgrounds, an amphitheatre with a mural wall, and a reinstated pedestrian bridge linking the park to the town centre.

Meath Cathaoirleach Cllr Wayne Harding was joined by Cathaoirleach of Ashbourne Municipal District, Cllr Alan Tobin and Jackie Maguire, Chief Executive, Meath County Council, to mark the opening.

Speaking at the official opening Cllr Maguire 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.

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"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."

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 seven 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.

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."

(CM/MH)