Improvements to Valley Park

A plan to plant shrubbery along the banks of the Liffey on the Valley Park is well under way, for both safety and decorative purposes.

Valley Park trustee Jim Collins says also that a further can-and-bottle removal job will take place in the park over the next few weeks, before spring growth covers them.

Some 2,500 cans and bottles were picked from the part in a recent effort by a local Polish man, Martin, who expresses himself quite surprised at how some locals treat their environmental heritage.

"A number of overhanging trees which were obstructing the view of the river from the bridge have also been removed," says Jim, who was a prime mover in the 1970s of the land acquisition and subsequent development of the park. An effort which earned him at the time the nickname of 'Mr Valley'.

Other work which has been carried out recently includes the painting over of graffiti under the bridge at the Town Square side of the river, and the refurbishment of the railings and the riverside seat originally donated by the late Joe McTernan. A new litter bin is to be erected shortly in this area.

Jim, who will shortly be celebrating a significant elder birthday, has also expressed some concerns about the derelict appearance of some older buildings around the Town Square, and also about incompleted restoration of the cobble-lock path near the new development on the square.

"The present condition of the Town Square is a sad reflection of its former layout," he says. "It now resembles a 'no man's land'. I'm suggesting a meeting of people who are interested in the future of the Town Square to discuss how we can resolve these issues and improve the area."

Brian Byrne.