Big boost for Monksland town park plans

A plan for a new central town park in Monksland has been given another massive boost with news of a €500,000 funding allocation this morning.

The allocation came as part of €18.5m funding nationally announced by the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.

The Monksland funding is for the development of the first phase of a Central Park incorporating multi-use, multi-generational area, tiered seating, performance area, walking trails etc.

Earlier this year, in the opening weeks of January, over €1.2 million government was announced for the same project, known as ‘Putting the Heart into Monksland’ via the Rural Regeneration Development Fund (RRDF

That earlier funding was for the design and feasibility stage of the project. Specifically it was to enable design work to begin on the plan to create a new central focus, including a new park, community hub and more pedestrian and cycle links between residential and commercial areas.

Roscommon County Council said then: “The funding is for the design phase and will focus on creating a centre and community focal point for this fast-growing urban area to enable the creation of a centre/heart in an urban area which has no streets, yet has the services and population larger than many other rural towns.

“It also includes the design for a new multi-purpose community hub for a variety of performance arts, music and other educational and recreational activities,” the council statement explained.

the project will be centred, it did supply a photo used in the application process which it explained: “shows an overview of the centre of Monksland and where the project will concentrate”.

This picture shows land adjacent to Daneshill Business Park, which is home to many well-known businesses like Savoury Fare, The Dancing Soul, iRadio, and many more.

Back in 2020, councillors in Roscommon paved the way for the development of a community park and public amenity area, which would consist of facilities including a walking track and outdoor exercise area on a proposed site, north-west of the Daneswell Business Park, to the rear of The Dancing Soul Centre in Daneshill Business Park and the west of the Suits District premises in the nearby Monksland Retail Park.

Roscommon County Council keenly stressed, however in January, that “all detail in relation to location of individual elements” will be defined as the project progresses.