Annalee Park grass cutting issue

The upkeep of the Annalee River Amenity Park in Ballyhaise, and who is responsible for same, was discussed at the recent Bailieborough-Cootehill MD meeting.

Describing how Annalee has always been popular for fishing and walking, Councillor Stiofán Conaty (SF), says it has become a “hub of activity” since the addition of a new craft shop café and sauna business.

Cllr Conaty congratulated the new operators of the café, which, he reported is operating seven days a week and doing “very well”, providing employment to local people and is a new social outlet, which “we were crying out for,” he said.

“These additions have brought the area to a whole new level, the place does be thronged,” Cllr Conaty said.

He also said “full credit” is due to Ballyhaise Development Association, who drove the project forward and gratitude is due to Cavan County Council for the financial support it provided to get the projects off the ground.

The Ballyhaise-based councillor said a spell of strong growth over the summer left the walkways “very overgrown” and he thanked Cavan County Council for sending a contractor to cut the greenery back.

“But we are struggling to get the council to keep on top of the park itself,” Cllr Conaty said, “there doesn’t seem to be an arrangement for the long-term.

“Traditionally, the grass was always cut by the Council but lately it’s been left in limbo, and no one knows who is in charge of it.”

Cllr Conaty said two Community Scheme workers and some volunteers from the local development association do a “mighty job” in maintaining the park area but “there are strict guidelines for what the scheme workers are permitted to do and after looking into it, we’ve been told it doesn’t fall into their remit”, he told the meeting.

The councillor said according to local people who have made representations to him, the preferred option would be to have the council look after the upkeep but if this is not possible then the Development Association is “open to the idea” of taking on the work.

“But, at the end of the day, they are volunteers,” he pointed out.

Cllr Conaty said, if volunteers took on the work, they would require some help in terms of insurance and equipment.

Responding to the councillor’s motion, Manager of Bailieborough-Cootehill Municipal District, Clinton Mulligan acknowledged Annalee Park is a “great amenity” and is attracting a large number of visitors.

The manager said up to and including this year, the MD maintained the grass but, “due to the increased demands we face on maintaining our public road network, it will be no longer possible to facilitate this level of regular maintenance in the future.”

He confirmed that a community group has expressed an interest in taking over the maintenance of the grass areas.

“I am very hopeful of a positive resolution to the matter soon,” Clinton Mulligan said.

Agreeing with Cllr Conaty’s call for clarity, Cllr Val Smith (FG) said the walkways around Annalee Park are a great asset to the local area.

“Rural community groups don’t get much help, I’ve said it for the past 10 years,” Cllr Smith said.

Cavan County Council Director of Services, Paddy Connaughton, agreed with Cllr Smith that the walkways are a popular and valuable asset and gave a commitment to “look into” the maintenance of the area.

“It’s a big county and we have to be realistic,” Mr Connaughton said. “Funding is something we can look at but if we were to do it for every community area it would be very substantive.”