Delight as Sean Walsh Park gets Green Flag
By Mary Dennehy
SEAN Walsh Park in Tallaght has been awarded Green Flag status, an achievement made possible by the council and local volunteers working together.
This is the second Green Flag for South Dublin County, with Corkagh Park retaining its Green Flag for a second year.
Sean Walsh Park photographed this week by Echo photographer, Paddy Barrett.
According to South Dublin County Council, the flag is awarded in recognition of achieving quality standards for the presentation of parks and recreation facilities, alongside promoting horticultural and environmental standards and excellence in park management.
The awards are marked under eight criteria, including horticulture standards, cleanliness, sustainability and community involvement.
In a statement to The Echo, a spokesperson for South Dublin County Council said: “The council is delighted to receive the Green Flag award for Sean Walsh Park.
“This award recognises the work of the staff of the park and the very active group of volunteers, the Litter Mugs.
“The Litter Mugs, who organise a monthly clean-up for the park, also look out for the birds and wild life and take on other projects in the park.
“They make a real difference to the park.”
Sean Walsh Park photographer this week by Echo photographer, Paddy Barrett
The Litter Mugs, which is a community-based group of volunteers who care not only for Sean Walsh Park but its wildlife, have run an extended campaign for the Green Flag,
Expressing their delight over the announcement, the Litter Mugs said: “Truly it has been a team effort involving the Litter Mugs, a number of individuals that do their own bit on a daily basis, an organisation that has provided financial support, local media outlets and of course, South Dublin County Council.
“We have received tremendous financial and logistical support from South Dublin County Council for our regular clean-up events.
“In recent months we have worked very closely with key individuals in the councils to ensure that the park looked its very best for the Green Flag inspection.
Sean Walsh Park photographed this week by Echo photographer, Paddy Barrett
“The Echo has been a long-term and faithful supporter of the Litter Mugs and we are extremely grateful for that invaluable support.
“Finally, we must thank everyone who has ever volunteered to help in our regular clean-up events.
“Quite simply the Litter Mugs would not exist without your ongoing efforts and support.”
Gerry Stockil, Chair of Tallaght Community Council, which had sought a Green Flag for Sean Walsh Park through its LoveTallaghtOutdoors initiative, said: “This is a proud day for Tallaght – the culmination of three years cross community volunteering, from idea to achievement.
“Well done Tallaght – take a bow.
“You were instrumental in bringing the coveted Green Flag Award to Tallaght.”
According to Tallaght Community Council, Sean Walsh Park has a sensory garden, urban petting zoo, water features, ornamental lakes, viewing hills, thriving wild life and a national walk trail – and if sensitively developed, has the opportunity to become a recreational destination like Marlay Park or St Stephen’s Green.
Not ones to rest on their laurels, the Litter Mug’s regular monthly meeting will take place this Saturday, July 21 at 10am.
The council confirmed to The Echo that a ceremony to mark the raising of the Green Flag in Sean Walsh Park will be arranged later in the year.
