AN EXPERT expert group set up by Mayor John Moran to focus on heritage and green spaces in Limerick has been working on new ideas to enhance the enjoyment of Limerick’s natural beauty.
The group, co-chaired by the Mayor and Green Party councillor Sean Hartigan, aims to identify future transformative projects with a focus on liveability, creating more liveable settlements, and attracting people to live and remain in Limerick.
The group’s primary tasks, a statement from the Mayor’s office said, include developing a programme of work to preserve and enhance heritage and green spaces, including parks in both the natural and built environment and any other relevant spaces. The group will also look at mapping existing green spaces and heritage facilities, and identifying gaps in facilities and ecological corridors or amenities.
Current projects being discussed by the group include a new riverside park on the north side of the city, a public realm on King’s Island, the city riverside from the Hunt Museum to the Clayton Hotel, the so-called ‘New Town Park’ in Georgian Limerick, Colbert Park, and Garryowen Green.
Comprised of officials from Limerick Council, Teagasc, Coillte, the Office of Public Works, Limerick City Partnership, National Parks and Wildlife Services, and other experts in the field, the group will also work to identify gaps in the existing network of public parks, and to improve walking or active travel linkages.
“We are continuing to reimagine Limerick’s future and, naturally, enhancing our public spaces and heritages assets will be a huge part of that. We are focused on projects that will deliver long-term benefits for communities across the city and county, whether that be the vision of a Northside Park or developing the community garden at King’s Island,” Mayor Moran explained.
Cllr Seán Hartigan said he is proud to see this group already bringing forward ambitious, nature-led solutions that will enhance people’s quality of life across Limerick.
“We want to protect our heritage, our waterways, and our green spaces. We’re focusing strongly on sustainability, biodiversity, and improving our parks offering to support both physical and mental wellbeing. Our task as a group is simple – to create a plan that improves our open spaces to serve both our people and our planet for generations to come,” he said.