"New chapter" as Monksland Park officially opened

By Rebekah O'Reilly

A "new chapter" was marked yesterday (Thursday) as the long-awaited Monksland Park was finally opened to the public.

Hailed as a community hub for the developing Monksland area, the playground was opened by Minister for Rural and Community Development Dara Calleary, Roscommon County Council, and the Monksland Town Team.

The park features a skate park, a basketball court, table tennis, and a play area including a climbing frame, slide, and a merry-go-round.

Other key elements of the new social space are a walking trail, a number of picnic benches, modern amphitheatre seating, and a pergola.

Chief Executive of Roscommon County Council, Shane Tiernan, called the park the new "heart of Monksland".

"On a day like this we are touched and remember the work and dedication of the late Cllr John Naughten. He worked very closely with Cllr John Keogh for the betterment of the Monksland area.

"Monksland may be the largest town in Roscommon in future years. The park here is therefore more than just a green space, it's the beginning of a new chapter for Monksland - a chapter focused on a quality of life and a provision of community."

* Read the full story in the next edition of the Westmeath Independent, out Wednesday, June 11. *