Reviving Mallow's Recreational Charm: Unveiling the New Castle Playground, Skate Park, Public Realm and Town Park Pathways

Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Frank O’Flynn, Chief Executive of Cork County Council Valerie O’Sullivan and Niall Healy, Director of Service - Municipal Districts Operations & Rural Development at the official opening of several new developments in Mallow.

The Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Frank O’Flynn and Chief Executive of Cork County Council Valerie O’Sullivan have officially opened exciting new developments which are transforming Mallow into a hub of recreation and leisure, all made possible through government funding initiatives and Council co-financing.

Speaking at the official opening, the Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Frank O’Flynn said,

These projects exemplify Cork County Council’s dedication to creating vibrant and engaging community spaces and will generate fond memories for generations to come. Cork County Council is delighted to see these award-winning works initiatives come to fruition and is confident they will significantly enhance the quality of life for Mallow's citizens.

Mallow Castle Park has undergone a remarkable transformation, featuring a brand-new playground, restored walled gardens, and a convenient car park. Key highlights include new access to Mallow Castle/House, a spacious, inclusive children's playground, restoration of the historic landscape and walled gardens with repairs and conservation of stone walls and garden features and finally wayfinding signage and amenities. These works, a crucial part of Mallow's overall development received €1,134,565 in funding from the Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund.

Enhancing both the visuals and connectivity of Mallow Town Centre to Mallow Castle and Spa House Grounds, significant Public Realm Improvement works have been delivered including new hard and soft landscaping, a stunning water feature with foam jets and lighting, upgraded pathways, lighting, seating, bike stands, and signage and finally paved enhancements to provide a more enjoyable park experience. This transformative project received €345,936 in funding from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund.

Cork County Council's framework plans to create an integrated park network and tourist destination for Mallow Castle Park, Mallow Town Park and the Spa House Park continue with new pathways within Mallow Town Park, funded in part by a €200,000 grant from the Department of Rural and Community Development's Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Fund with additional funding from Cork County Council. These works include, a 3m-wide pedestrian pathway connecting Park Road to the River Walk, reinforced pathways between tree avenues, planting of a second tree avenue and installation of park amenities, including map boards, nature boards, signage, bike stands, and seating.

Mallow's newest attraction, the Skate Park on Park Road, is now complete and adding a thrilling dimension to the town's recreational offerings. Delivered by experienced local contractor, Browne Bros Site Services Ltd, this cutting-edge skate park was funded by a €150,000 grant from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media under the Sports Capital & Equipment Program (SCEP).

Chief Executive of Cork County Council Valerie O’Sullivan highlighted how

We are thrilled to witness the transformation of Mallow into a vibrant hub of recreation and leisure, exemplifying Council's commitment to creating engaging community spaces. These award-winning initiatives, made possible through government funding as well as Cork County Council’s Social Sustainability Investment programme which is funded by loan finance secured from the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB), are set to enhance the quality of life for Mallow's citizens.