Three Limerick parks achieve national success
THREE Limerick parks have been honoured at the 2023 Green Flag Awards.
Lough Gur near Bruff, the People’s Park in the city and Pairc Cois Feile in Abbeyfeale have all been honoured in the awards for a number of reasons.
Pairc Cois Feile and the People’s Park were both awarded a green flag whereas Lough Gur was given the Innovation Award as they installed 28 bee lodges to support solidary and native bees.
The lodges were funded by Analog Devices showing cross collaboration between industry and parks leading to a greater number of people becoming aware of the importance of bees as pollinators.
The bee lodges were built by PALLS, as part of the prison education programme showing an inclusive and supportive approach to public park spaces.
Speaking of his park’s award, Maurice O’Connell, Green Flag Project Coordinator, said: “Having Pairc Cois Feile / Abbeyfeale Town Park awarded an International Green Flag is so special to us, and even more so now that we have managed to achieve five in-a-row.
“The feeling of a job well done, of being up there with the best in the world, a feeling of pride and especially for all those who have worked and volunteered to ensure that our park is a great place to work, volunteer, visit, and just relax. Having our park awarded an international Green Flag is the best approval one can get for the people and the place,” Mr O’Connell said.
A total of 150 awards were handed out to parks across Europe in the international awards with 101 of these awards being handed out to parks in Ireland.
Emlyn Cullen, Programme Manager for An Taisce Environmental Education Unit, who runs the awards in Ireland said: “The continued success of the Green Flag Award is due to the love staff members have for their green spaces and the hard work they put in to maintaining them. They do a phenomenal job making their parks and gardens beautiful, safe spaces for the public to enjoy.”