Official Launch of the River Ara Walk takes place in Tipperary Town
The sun shone brightly in the sky as the River Ara Walk in Tipperary Town was officially launched by Councillor Declan Burgess, Cathoirleach of Tipperary Cahir Cashel Municipal District on the morning of Thursday 06th June. The event was well attended by the public and a host of local community and voluntary groups. Attendees were welcomed to explore the impressive amenity before Councillor Burgess unveiled a specially made plaque to mark the occasion.
The River Ara Walk originated as a collaboration between Tipperary County Council, Tipperary Tidy Towns and Tipperary Town Chamber of Commerce who were awarded LEADER funding from South Tipperary Development Company to develop the concept and design for the project in 2018. The site was acquired from the Department of Education after extensive consultation with The Abbey School CBS who shared the collective vision of the project partners, who worked with the Council and consultants VESI Environmental to develop the design and secure Planning permission from An Bord Pleanala in November 2020.
The project has created a community walkway 1km long, 3m wide, which is fully accessible and links Abbey Street to Glenview Square along the banks of the River Ara. The walkway also includes fully inclusive amenities including a natural playground, amphitheatre, wetland area with a boardwalk traversing it, instream river improvement works, and extensive planting and biodiversity. The river forms a natural setting for education for the local community and visitors about local biodiversity and the valuable ecological services it provides.
Councillor Burgess stated that ‘this project is part of a wide ranging series of improvements in Tipperary Town being driven by Tipperary County Council and Tipperary Town Revitalisation, including the development of the Market Yard that recently secured further funding under the Town & Village Renewal Programme to enhance the public toilets and amenities, the enhancement of Tipperary Hills, the upcoming redevelopment of the former Civic Offices at Dan Breen House as a Youth & Further Education and Training Centre and the redevelopment of the former Tipperary Courthouse & Bridewell as a development hub for adults with intellectual disabilities, as well as the planned Soloheadbeg Heritage Trail and enhancement of Redmond Square (The Plan)’.
Director of Services with Tipperary County Council Sharon Kennedy thanked and acknowledged all who had contributed to the project since its inception, including the local Tidy Towns and Chamber, and the project funders. The total project investment in the River Ara Walk was €961,625.60 and was funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) and the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS), with matching funding also provided by Tipperary County Council.
Sara Bourke of South Tipperary Development Company stated that they were delighted to contribute to the initial design under the LEADER Programme and are thrilled to see this project come to fruition, while local Tidy Towns Chairperson Paul O’Callaghan thanked the Council and everyone associated with the development, along with TUS Supervisor Eddie Tuohy whose staff help maintain the amenity. Paul stated “we now have two amazing parks in Tipperary Town. Our River Walk Park and The Hills Town Park. We hopefully will have a third wonderful park with the proposed development of The Plan at Redmond Square. Very few towns can boast of such recreational facilities.”
ENDS:
For more information contact Anselm McGowan, District Administrator, Tipperary Cahir Cashel Municipal District - 0818 06 5000
