New additions planned for Tullamore Town Park
A bandstand and new public toilets are being planned for Tullamore's town park in a bid to expand its use for "cultural, arts and entertainment events".
The planned works at Lloyd Park went on display at the Offaly County Council offices in Tullamore, and at the town's library, earlier this week.
The local authority said the project, which will also include the addition of new caretaker facilities, would "enhance the outdoor space in the park" and would facilitate its use on a year-round basis.
"(This) is a place-making project that supports cultural endeavour and enables safe social activity," said the council.
The existing toilets in the park, which were installed in 2008, are "no longer fit for purpose" and the plan is to replace them with toilets accessible to people with disabilities, as well as a caretaker's office and storage room.
A planned outdoor covered entertainment area, or bandstand, will be "a space that can be readily available for Offaly County Council organised events, arts and cultural organisations, and individuals," according to the plans.
"With an established stage, set up for lights and sound, the natural arena of the park provides an ideal outdoor venue for culture events and festivals, entertainment and a place for people to meet and socialise outdoors.
"This space will be designed to be an amenity during the day, to sit and read or to meet and chat, but (one that can be) easily transformed to host an event when needed," said the council.
Located at Cormac Street, the five-acre town park was established in 1987 and officially opened to the public in 2008, after extensive refurbishment.
The council said the park was "a focal point for recreation" for both the town and county, and served as "an invaluable resource during the Covid-19 crisis, providing a space for people to meet outdoors to exercise and socialise."
Over the years, a playground, skate park, basketball court and outdoor exercise equipment have been added to the park, which has been awarded the Green Flag each year since 2016.
The planned works there are currently out for public consultation. They can be inspected in the Offaly County Council and Tullamore Municipal District offices, or in Tullamore library, up until June 22.
Submissions or observations on the project must be made to the offices of Tullamore Municipal District, Acres Hall, Tullamore, by July 6, and must be clearly marked 'Lloyd Town Park'.