Phase one complete as new green heart of Kiltimagh to open to public

EMIGRANT Park in Kiltimagh will be officially opened on Saturday, April 27, at 12 noon by Bill Durkan. Mr. Durkan made a very generous donation towards the park’s fundraising appeal which allowed the project to reach this momentous milestone.

Phase one of Emigrant Park is now completed and the new green heart of Kiltimagh is ready to be unveiled.

This phase involved the development of a walkway with lighting, seating, a pump track, planting of native trees, and an outdoor willow classroom connected to the park pathways via a Roman Road constructed from sheep wool and limestone

Kiltimagh Amenity Park (KAP) committee, in a statement, said: “As a committee we are delighted to be opening up the park to the public. Now that phase one is completed, we feel the time is right for the community to be able to use the park and experience the tranquility that it has to offer. We did not want another summer to pass before this could happen and had planned for it to be open in time for summer 2024.”

KAP committee is a voluntary group that was founded 14 years ago. The vision of the committee has always been to provide a safe, bright, learning environment in an open area not only for the community of Kiltimagh but also for those in the neighbouring towns.

There is now a park in the heart of Kiltimagh that will cater for all members of the community. This new green space will provide a place where all members of the community can come together in a social and active environment.

Commenting on the timing of the park’s opening, the committee said: “We know that we are opening the gates with a lot more work to be done but what has already been achieved needs to be experienced by the community who have patiently supported this project in so many different ways. This project has been a long time in the making. As a volunteer committee we all came together with our own skills to try to turn what was a dream into a reality.

“This is a community project that has involved so many members and groups within the town of Kiltimagh. It started with donations from both home and abroad to buy the land. Then local tradespeople, groups and schools worked on site to develop the park. This truly is a community park, built by the community for the community.”

Although Emigrant Park will be officially opened at the end of April it is still a project that is ongoing. The park is still in its infancy of natural growth. Its true visual beauty has yet to come to full fruition. However the seeds have been planted with 1,000 native trees already rooted in their new home.

It is a place of tranquility in the heart of the town. With the sounds of nature drowning out the sounds of the outside world. The safe walkway offers the nostalgia of the country roads which will allow many to enjoy the offerings of the surrounding countryside once again. A place for every generation to live, learn and grow.

Emigrant Park is a place where biodiversity is at its heart, bringing the principles and practices of nature that were often lost in modern times back to life.

Commenting on future developments, the committee stated: “ Now that phase one is completed, we will continue to look at ways in which we can develop the park. There is ample opportunity to continue developing this space.

“Once the park is being used we will learn more about what people want. We will continue well into the future to add new phases to the park.

“Through further grant applications we hope to deliver on all of the elements of the park’s plans. But for now we will all be able to experience and watch first hand as the park grows and flourishes each day.

“Emigrant Park will be the place where we all connect to nature and each other for many generations to come.”

The grand opening will take place on the Knock Road entrance of the park.

Kiltimagh Amenity Park committee invites all to come and celebrate this special occasion.