Popular city park set to receive €700,000 for major improvements

ALMOST €700,000 is to be ploughed into major upgrades of a popular Cork city public park.

The city council confirmed yesterday that it had secured €669,000 in funding for a range of new improvements at the 40-acre Murphy’s Farm in Bishopstown.

Up to €500,000 alone will be spent on a state-of-the-art playground.

The park, which stretches northwards from the Curraheen Estate along the Curraheen River to the Tennis Village at Model Farm Road, has four sports pitches, an 18-hole pitch and putt course, a scout hall, riverside walks and an informal open area.

Almost €1.3 million is spent on three recreational projects in the park — the development of dressing rooms, a pitch and putt pavilion and a parks depot.

It is hoped work will be completed by early summer.

But the council confirmed yesterday that it also has secured new funding to upgrade and widen the two-mile riverside walk along the Curraheen River, from the Tennis Village to Curraheen Road, to a cycle /walkway. A total of €195,000 has been secured to upgrade the park’s access road and car park and €474,000 will be spent on the construction of a new playground, a multi-user games area (MUGA) and an informal play area.

The works will involve enclosing an open area next to Curraheen Estate and the school, earthworks, provision of pathways, play equipment and MUGA.

Grant aid of €150,000 has been secured for the play equipment and MUGA.

The council is planning to fund the balance of €520,000.

Local Cllr Jerry Buttimer welcomed the news. “This project will give Bishopstown an enhanced amenity area better that any other in the city,” he said.