North Cork Fine Gael Councillor John Paul O’Shea has welcomed the signing of contracts between Cork County Council and planning and landscape specialists, Brady Shipman Martin Planning, which will see the development of a park network and tourist attraction for Mallow.
On Monday, Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Patrick Gerard Murphy together with Chief Executive of Cork County Council Tim Lucey signed contracts with Brady Shipman Martin. This is the latest step in advancing plans to develop an integrated park network, landmark amenity and tourist destination for Mallow Castle Park, Mallow Town Park and the Spa House Park, improving linkages between these parks and the main town of Mallow itself.
In collaboration with a wide range of community stakeholders, the Council has procured consultants to prepare an overall scheme design for Mallow Castle Demesne, Mallow Town Park and Spa House. The works will be designed and delivered in a phased manner and include paths, playground, parking, cycleways, walkways, deer viewing platform, fishing shelters, a trail head and associated blueway facilities as a key part of the overall development of the blueway on the River Blackwater.
One of the major components of the plan is to improve access between Mallow Town Centre, Mallow Castle, Spa House and Mallow Town Park and the wider area together with signage encouraging visitors to stay longer and explore the wider North Cork region. The contracts include a full detailed design Part 8 application together with part initial early delivery and construction commencing in the second half of this year subject to funding.
Cllr. O’Shea said: “These plans for Mallow are very exciting; I’m confident these works will stimulate tourism in the Mallow arae and will lead to the development of even more facilities catering to tourists and locals alike. We’re fortunate in Mallow to have such facilities, like Mallow Castle, Mallow Town Park and the Spa House, so it makes sense to tie their potential together and create an integrated park network and landmark amenity. So, well done to all involved and I look forward to seeing these works progressing later in the year.”
Chief Executive of Cork County Council Tim Lucey went on to say, “This park development will result in the creation of a long-life local heritage, amenity, recreational and tourism asset. Apart from its potential as a general leisure and recreation facility, the integrated park development also represents an outstanding opportunity for Mallow to establish a position of prominence for itself under Fáilte Ireland’s new heritage proposition of Ireland’s Ancient East and as a sub-region of the Wild Atlantic Way.”
