Willow Park residents and landlords in major clean up drive

Residents and landlords from the Willow Park area pulled their resources together last weekend when they participated in a major drive to clean up their own area. The local clean up, which is the eighth clean up in the area, was organised by the Willow Park Residents Association, chaired by Padraig Higgins and the landlords of the area committee, chaired by Tom Harney. Padraig Higgins said: "This is one of a series of clean up days organised for this year and is part of an ongoing drive to enhance the image of our area. Willow Park and the surrounding areas are looking much better and we are proud of the progress we are making. On our last clean up we targeted the litter and graffiti in the area and on this occasion we tackled the missing pillar caps to the front of the estate, the removal of debris and some work on the mature trees of the area." Tom Harney added: "The landlords have always been on hand with equipment and trailers and of course, manpower, to assist with clean ups in the Willow Park Area." "They have supplied equipment such as front loaders, power equipment and are more than happy to do so for the heavier jobs. We have landlords who are local and those who travel form Dublin, Maynooth, Kilkenny and so on. The landlords have always been very active and we always get a great turnout. We are fully committed to working with the residents of the Willow Park. This is part of a series of clean ups in the area and we want a cleaner safer Willow Park for residents and tenants alike." He said it was important for the landlords to work with the residents but there were many others who helped them, such as the gardai and Michael O'Reilly and Richard Darcy from Westmeath County Council. "The place is really taking shape and looking well. It is a huge area, there is a massive amount of grass maintenance in the areas of Willow park right down to Meadowbrook. It takes all of our efforts to keep the green areas and great credit is due to the residents for the fundraising they do to keep it cut all year," added Tom. Padraig Higgins said: "Athlone Town Council has given a grant to the Residents' Association and we are grateful to Edel Martin from Athlone Town Council for her ongoing help in the area. The appointment of a community worker, Collette Tuohy from Athlone Town Council has been a welcome addition to our team of supports for the area. She has been fantastic in bring us all together in the area." "We really have great residents in Willow Park, they are a great support to each other and a great group of neighbours they do a great job and we are delighted to get help from so many landlords. It is in everyone's interest to work together, everyone benefits. This is not just improving Willow Park visually, all this work is really helping to build the community spirit in this area as well," he added.