Work set to commence on Navan park catering for town and county

A number of playing fields and walkways are expected to open at Navan's new 66-acre town park on the banks of the Blackwater in late spring or early summer. Contracts for the first phase of the park are due to be signed within the next week, with the work due for completion in the first half of the year. The development will include a number of playing pitches, which can be used by the general public as well as attractive walkways and a children's play area. It is estimated the current work will cost around €400,000 and over the past year, extensive preparatory work, including ducting of electricity wires took place at the site, which will be one of the biggest town centre parks in the country when completed. Further phases of the park to be developed in the coming years will include a pedestrian bridge across the Blackwater to link the park to the town centre, an environmental education area, a performance area, a skateboard park and lawn bowling facilities. Cllr Shane Cassells welcomed the news that work was to begin on the playing fields and walkways and said it was the first step towards seeing something tangible happening in the park, although a lot of money had already been spent preparing the land for the current development. He pointed out that he had fought for funding for this project, which is hugely significant for the town and he had urged the county manager to set aside money every year in the budget for further works at the park. "At a time when there is so much pressure on families, this will be a hugely important free facility in the centre of the town," he said. Cllr Joe Reilly said it would be the number one project in the town this year and the playing field would be open to local children and local teams. He said it would be a huge facility in the centre of the town and was very welcome for local families. Cllr Jim Holloway pointed out the project was being developed with the aid of funding from Navan Town Council and Meath County Council. "At almost 70 acres it will serve the county of Meath as well as Navan Town, with significant grant aid from government," he said. "Apart from the obvious benefit this park will be as an amenity for people, it is also a significant boost to the economic life for Navan town. Cllr Holloway said that it was to such towns that serious investors are attracted. "I look forward to the full development of this amenity, the design of which is of exceptional quality," he said.