Better amenities needed in Killykeen Forest Park
A discussion about installing a playground at Killykeen Forest Park entered a much broader discussion about its amenities and ownership during a heated debate on the matter at this month’s meeting of the Cavan-Belturbet Municipal District Meeting on Friday.
The meeting saw comparisons made between Killykeen and other forests parks in neighbouring counties like Rossmore in Monaghan and Lough Key in Roscommon.
Director of Services, Cavan County Council, Brendan Jenings, said a playground plan for Dun a Rí Forest in Kingscourt was recently signed off on and it turned out to be a most successful initiative.
In a statement, Cavan County Council added: "Funding is in place for the new playground at Dún an Rí Forest Park. A contractor has been appointed and work is expected to commence shortly."
During the meeting, Mr Jennings also said that, while there is a master plan for Killykeen, which includes a playground, that plan had not been considered in more recent years.
Cllr John Paul Feeley (FF) said it was no longer “tenable” for Coillte “to own our forests”.
“Coillte is a commercial forestry company and the local authority needs to take more control,” he continued before adding that it would be great to see a playground in Killykeen and the master plan being brought to fruition.
However he remarked, in reference to the ongoing commercial forestry operation at Killykeen, with a company like Coillte in the middle, “I really don’t know how that is going to work.”
Cllr Brendan Fay (Ind) then recalled his “wonderful” childhood memories of Killykeen.
“Anything that can be done to support improving it, I will do,” he added.
Meanwhile, Mr Jennings told those gathered that “the great ol’ days” that Cllr Fay had spoken about “were down to numbers”.
“Nowadays, the numbers aren’t there, although they have increased somewhat over the last couple of years,” he continued.
“Cavan County Council can’t take over all the forests because there is commercial value within them and that has to be acknowledged. Taking over these things and maintaining them is a massive demand on resources and that also needs to be considered. I wouldn’t be against the local authorities taking them over either.”
Coillte agrees to meet Killykeen residents
Meanwhile, Coillte has agreed to meet with concerned locals in the Killeshandra area to address concerns around the number of trees felled at Killykeen Forest Park. An article published in The Anglo-Celt last week highlighted some concerns of locals and regular park users.
The felled areas make up 5.28 HA and 5.08 HA in the Gartnanoul townland. Concerns were expressed over the potential impact on wildlife in the area, the environment, the number of trees felled, replanting and the eyesore that the felled areas creates and the impact this has on mental health.
In relation to follow up concerns, Coillte has agreed to meet with the group.
A Coillte spokesperson said: “Coillte has offered to meet with the local community group on site at Killykeen Forest Park to listen to and address their concerns as expressed in The Anglo-Celt article of 12th September.”
“Coillte looks forward to engaging with the local community to address their queries and outline Coillte’s approach to sustainable forest management for climate, nature, wood and people.”
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