New community warden may monitor parks
The council has stopped short of approving the appointment of a warden to specifically monitor Con Smith Park in Cavan Town, but suggest that CCTV and additional patrols could happen in future as a means to deter anti-social behaviour.
Given the size of the park, Director of Services questioned whether it would be a prudent expenditure of council funds to assign a warden to Con Smith Park only.
He was responding to a motion tabled by Fine Gael's Madeleine Argue, and instead suggested the role of a new community warden, to be appointed imminently, could be expanded.
Cllr Argue told the virtually-held meeting of the council that Con Smith Park was “one of the most popular” areas in Cavan Town.
She said there had been reported “rowdyism”, where “bigger boys” were scaring smaller children using the play amenities.
Litter, she said too, was “unbelievable”.
A recent clean-up of the Kinnypottle running through the park dredged up a full skip of items including a fridge and a washing machine.
She believed a warden would “keep good order” and also assist in keeping the area tidy.
Her motion was supported by Fianna Fáil's Patricia Walsh who hit out at recent vandalism. “If we had a warden, there would be some solution to this.”
There was support too from Peter McVitty (FG), Sean Smith (FF), Winston Bennett (FG), Brendan Fay (Ind), John Paul Feeley (FF) and TP O'Reilly (FG).
The latter two recommended extending CCTV to the park, and that a warden could be shared throughout the county respectively.
Winston Bennett (FG) added that a warden, if appointed, could also keep tabs on Killykeen Forest Park.
Cllr McVitty stated that it was “obviously not young people” dumping fridges and washing machines, and stated his belief that gardaí should be involved in tackling such behaviour.
Mr Connaughton said the warden appointed would be involved in litter patrols. He said it was not in the budget to provide for a warden for Con Smith Park, but would welcome if the elected members wanted to make concessions to fund one in the budget later this year.
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