New park and playground planned for Clonee village

A NEW public park and playground is planned for Clonee village. The facilities will be provided by Meath Co Council on the banks of the Tolka river in the centre of the village.

The proposals will see the construction of a public park including a playground with 12 pieces of play equipment and safety surfacing, five parking spaces, bicycle parking, public lighting, footpath and cyclepath, bins, benches and landscaping on a 1.6 site.

The new facilities will be accessed from the existing public road. Meath County Council will run and maintain this new amenity.

Cllr Damien O'Reilly predicted that the new playground and park will become a focal location in Clonee village for both new and established members of the community.

"It will be a great place to meet and help build community spirit in Meath’s gateway village.

"This is a long overdue facility and it will play a role in helping the many new residents get to know the rest of the community.

"It will be particularly welcomed by apartment dwellers who don't have gardens."

He pointed out that there are a lot of new housing developments in the area and under construction.

"Meath County Council will be offering 73 social housing apartments in Clonee at the end of the year, which is great news for the people who have been on the housing list for years.

"I am also looking for an upgrade to the main street and a public realm and urban regeneration plan for the village."

At the recent Ratoath Municipal District meeting, Cllr O’Reilly called on Meath County Council to seek central government funding for a new urban regeneration plan for Clonee to upgrade all aspects of Meath’s gateway village.

"Clonee is now the home to Meath’s new economic belt and it is hoped that many multinationals will locate in this area from Clonee to Fairyhouse roundabout, generating high value employment opportunities in the area," he said. "We want to attract more business to the area.

"The new playground and park will help build on the new sense of community created by the Clonee Tidy Towns Committee. This is the first in many steps to enhance Clonee village for all members of the community.

Cllr Brian Fitzgerald said the facilities were very badly needed, particularly for families with young children.

"This will be a big asset to the area. The council is co-operating with the developers of recent projects in everyone’s' interest.

"This will be great for what is now a young community."