Page 15 - Chief Executive Report - April 2022

PARKS & SPECIAL PROJECTS

Parks and Playgrounds
In Slieverue Linear Park, under Phase 1 works, a new
gym equipment and a children’s outdoor activity trail has
been recently added to the Park which has become a
popular walking route for local people. Future additions
to the recreational offering in the park are being planned
and an application to Kilkenny Leader Partnership is being
prepared by the local community with the assistance of the
Project Office & Parks Department. Tenders for proposed
works, which include entrance and footpath improvements,
landscaping, signage and seating, fencing and the
provision of a basketball area were recently for pricing.
Recently installed outdoor gym equipment &
outdoor activity trail at Slieverue Linear Park

Elsewhere around the County on-going maintenance
continues in our playgrounds. This involves the upgrade
of the impact absorbing surface which is critical to the
operation of playgrounds. Bark chip is commonly used
and must be kept clean and to the desired depth at all
times. Considerable effort goes into ensuring this is the
case with weekly checks and cleaning.

Goresbridge playground with newly laid impact
absorbing surface
Both pitches at Garringreen and Newpark were upgraded with sand slitting and overseeding to ensure the
surface is in good condition for play for the coming year. The pitches are leased out to a number of clubs
for matches and training are in high demand so wear and tear needs to be kept in check.
Woodstock Gardens
Springtime in the garden sees an abundance of pruning and planting jobs to be completed before the
summer season. The Winter Garden is being edged and weeded and topiary planting being pruned. Grass
cutting outside of pollinator friendly areas has commenced with over 30 acres of grass to be cut every ten
to fourteen days. In the Walled Garden the espallier apples and pears trained along the brick walls have
been pruned to promote growth of fruit. Pruning in this manner ensure the fruit receives more light, which
helps improve development of natural sugars and fruit colour. Unfortunately, we rarely get to taste the fruit
as its is often picked by impatient members of the public before it is ripened.

The upgrade of the herbaceous border is scheduled to take place after the Easter holidays. Knox’s Bower
Summer House has been repaired where bamboo was damaged on the decorative walls. All materials
were sourced from the gardens and skilfully applied to this unusual garden folly.

Knox’s Bower Summer House

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