On Wednesday, May 8th, Cathaoirleach of Bray Municipal District Cllr. Melanie Corrigan officially opened the Kilmacanogue Marsh Trail. Cllr. Corrigan was also joined by Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council Cllr. Aoife Flynn Kennedy.
The rehabilitation of the Kilmacanogue Marsh and the creation of a biodiversity trail was a local community initiative, driven by Barbara Moore-Devine alongside Bray Elected Member, Cllr. Rory O’Connor. Cllr. O’Connor first brought this project to the attention of the Bray Municipal District Engineer and proposed that a feasibility study should be carried out for turning the site into a community asset.
Funding for the initial works on clearing the heavy vegetation to open up the pond and clear a pedestrian access route, was through the National Biodiversity Action Plan with the assistance of Deirdre Burns, Heritage Officer, Wicklow County Council, and ecologist Alan Lauder, who also provided the information for the information board on the site.
Subsequent funding was provided by ORIS to develop the trail. This work was carried out in 2023 by the Bray Municipal District crew based in Enniskerry. The scheme was finally completed this year with the installation of the information board and bench.
The transformation of the Kilmacanogue Marsh from a no-go area to a community asset could not have been achieved without the community initiative and support to drive it on. It is hoped that this facility, with continuing community involvement, will be source of recreation and education for all and a flourishing habitat for wildlife for a long time to come.
Cathaoirleach of Bray Municipal District, Cllr. Melanie Corrigan in officially opening the trail noted, “The Kilmacanogue Marsh is listed on the schedule of proposed Natural Heritage Areas in County Wicklow. I would like to pay tribute to my colleague, Cllr. Rory O’Connor, and the local community who were all involved in bringing the project to fruition. The installation of the notice board will go a long way in raising awareness of the biodiversity in our local area and demonstrates the importance of maintaining and promoting biodiversity for future generations.”
Speaking at the opening, Cathaoirleach Wicklow County Council Cllr. Aoife Flynn Kennedy said, “I welcome the development of this hidden gem in Kilmacanogue and I join Cllr. Corrigan in paying tribute to the local community in making this possible.”
Bray District Manager Lorraine Gallagher commented, “This project is an excellent example of the Municipal District working in partnership with the local community and the elected members to develop a community project which promotes the biodiversity of the area.”
Barbara Moore-Devine spoke on behalf of the community and expressed her thanks to all involved in the project, stating “This is the first stage of the project and the community will be seeking further enhancement of the facilities to be added in the future. We thank everyone involved in getting the trail opened today.”
As well as the opening of the Kilmacanogue Marsh trail, Bray Elected Members visited the newly redeveloped Basketball courts and Futsal Court facilities at Giltspur Heights. The former tennis courts have been transformed into two No. 3×3 basketball courts and one No. Futsal Court. The 3×3 basketball courts are the first such facilities in Bray Municipal District. The development will provide additional facilities for the local community and those living along the Southern Cross Road.
Bray Elected Members also marked the commencement of works on the development of the Bray Skate Park. Wicklow County Council worked with local stakeholders, including members of the local skateboarding community, to identify a suitable site for such a facility and local skaters also provided an input in to the design of the skate park. The location of the park in Ballywaltrim will further enhance and add to the existing sports facilities found in the area.
