This Cork Tidy Towns group got largest grant for a travel project in the county under climate plan
The strategic grants covered €110,000 of the €120,000 spent on the upgrades to widen the cycleway along Tom Creedon Park and the creation of a pathway in the Tiny Feet Fairy Garden.
The cycleway was expanded from three feet wide to 10 feet wide, which is in line with Transport Infrastructure Ireland specifications.
The combined grants were issued by the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications and in partnership with Cork County Council, and the projects will continue to expand in line with sustainability development goals in Macroom.
Joseph Cronin, Projects Officer and Coordinator with Macroom Tidy Towns and Tiny Feet Fairy Garden Macroom said:
'The Macroom Tidy Towns initiated project in Tom Creedon Park was the largest Travel orientated project funded under the CCAP in Cork.
'The project combines connectivity, improved access for all modes of non-vehicular transport to leisure areas, shopping and local schools,' he said.
Under the Cork Co. Council Climate Action Plan 2024-2029, Macroom was selected as the pilot decarbonisation zone town for county Cork.
A lot of projects and initiatives since the beginning of 2024 are in relation to climate, biodiversity and sustainability throughout the community and in cooperation with local businesses.
Chairperson of Macroom Tidy Towns and Independent Councillor Martin Coughlan said the work in Tom Creedon Park was needed for over 20 years.
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'We saw the need for these projects, especially the ½ mile in the GAA grounds as the existing path was barely wide enough for one person to walk on at three 3 feet wide, let alone two way use for cycles, buggies or wheelchairs.
'We also decided to widen the concrete bridge connection between the Town Park and Tom Creedon Park ourselves with our own resources and the expertise and labour of our own volunteers,' Mr Coughlan said.
Both organisations thanked the main contractor, Niall Murphy Tarmacadam, who laid over 2,000 square metres of tarmac to B1 specification.
Lisa Manning, Secretary of both organisations said:
'A lot of preparation and planning went into these projects; the community are delighted with them and usage has increased tremendously.
'The Tom Creedon Park project is featured in our Tidy Towns submission this year and is also being entered in the special awards category,' she concluded.
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