Hollywood volunteers hit back

THE HOLLYWOOD Park Development Committee has described comments made about the condition of the toilet facilities and other aspects of the upkeep of the north Monaghan recreation area at the July meeting of the Monaghan Municipal District as “deeply disappointing, highly insulting and disrespectful” to its volunteer members.

In a letter circulated at the September MD meeting, Committee Chair Michael Mullen said his members have no objection to concerns being raised but are unhappy at criticism made “without any recognition of the reality facing those who dedicate their own time” to the Hollywood amenity.

The correspondence challenged the local authority to “do its part” to maintain the amenity and, in particular, to address public safety issues.

The July debate was prompted by complaints about the condition of the toilet facilities in Monaghan Town’s Rossmore Forest Park but, during the discussion, criticism was also levelled at the Hollywood Park toilet facilities and other aspects of the area’s upkeep.

In his response Mr Mullen pointed out that Hollywood Park is not maintained by Monaghan County Council, Coillte or any public body or quango.

“It is maintained by six core volunteers with limited resources and an annual grant of just €9,500. With this small grant volunteers maintain almost 20 hectares of public amenity, including a lake, woodland walks, two acres of maintained lawns, playground facilities, paths, drainage systems and public toilets. Every metre of grass cut, every drain cleared, every fallen branch removed, every bin emptied, every bag of dog waste collected and every repair carried out is the result of people who have full-time jobs giving up their evenings and weekends."

Mr Mullen described the criticism of the toilets as “particularly frustrating” as the toilet block was owned by the council and dated back to the 1980s.

“It is open to the elements, vulnerable to wildlife and simply no longer fit for purpose. This is not just a cleaning issue, it is a capital infrastructure issue. No amount of scrubbing can overcome a building that has reached the end of its life.

“For years, our volunteers have cleaned human waste, removed broken glass, unblocked toilets clogged with nappies and wipes, repaired vandalism and restored facilities after late-night drinking sessions. The idea that the Council’s solution to this public health issue is to liaise with us the committee to ask the volunteers to do more, is particularly galling.”

Mr Mullen said the greatest concern at the amenity is public safety.

“We worry about children being injured by broken glass or ageing equipment. We worry about intoxicated people entering the lake. We worry about the safety of volunteers carrying out maintenance alone," the letter continued.

Mr Mullen said that the commitment shown by volunteers at the park "deserves support, not public criticism" and said they are prepared to sit down with the council to discuss solutions.

"Either provide realistic long-term maintenance funding that recognises that volunteers cannot continue subsidising what has become a public service or develop a long-term plan either to properly support the committee to bring the park completely into public ownership," he challenged the local authority.

“Hollywood Park survives because a handful of people, all with full-time jobs, have refused to let it decline. The question is no longer whether volunteers are doing enough. It is whether Monaghan County Council is prepared to do its part.”

Reacting to the correspondence, the Cathaoirleach, Cllr Alan Johnston (FG) asked the MD to arrange a meeting with the Hollywood committee to determine a breakdown of respective roles and responsibilities.

“This needs to be clarified going forward so everyone knows where they stand,” he stated.

MD Co-ordinator Martin Taylor said that, prior to the correspondence being received, the MD and the Community Section of the County Council had met the committee to look at their future plans and issues with the toilets were brought up at the meeting.

“We will meet them again to see what their thoughts are for the future of the area,” Mr Taylor stated.