Liffeyside Amenity Area
In 1994, Newbridge Tidy Towns Association undertook to maintain this area which had fallen into dereliction.

Initially, this work was undertaken on a voluntary basis, and included cleaning the parkland which was at that time totally overgrown and neglected. Our association is now engaged in the maintenance and upkeep of a section of the Liffeyside Amenity Area stretching from the Bridge to the “Gables” guesthouse. In recent years the association has been very fortunate in having the services of park attendants employed under the Ballymany Community Employment Scheme (FÁS).

The Droichead Nua Local Area Plan designated the River Liffey and its environs as a high value amenity area. At the request of The Tidy Towns Association, Kildare County Council commissioned Dr. Christy Boylan, of South County Dublin County Council’s Parks Department to prepare a report on the future development of this area. Having consulted the many users of the park, Dr. Boylan presented his report to the County Council in August 2000. Essentially the plan outlined a phased development schedule for the area. Kildare County Council has now formally adopted the “Boylan Plan” for completion as part of the Local Area Plan adopted last year.

There has been a determined effort to improve the Liffeyside Amenity Area, and in this regard the Tidy Towns Association maintains close contact with those who use the facilities i.e. the walkers, children, anglers, canoeists, school environmental walks etc. The River Liffey is a priceless asset which has shaped the development of our town, indeed it was the original reason that a town developed on this site. The Liffeyside Amenity Area is a haven for wildlife, with many species regularly seen from the riverbank including Swans, Herons, Ducks, Otters etc. the river is also rich in trout and pike.

Towards the end of 2001, Droichead Nua Town Council established “Vision” or Working Group to consider the future development of the Liffeyside Amenity Area. This working group, comprising of elected representatives of the Town Council, the Town Clerk, the Tidy Towns Association and Newbridge Community Development meet very regularly and have prioritized the following development issues:

Repair / levelling of the hard standing “Viewing Area” adjacent to the bridge, suitable low key / low maintenance park furniture to be sourced and installed in the park, and the area to be made accessible to all.

Create a small enclosed wildlife area in the park which would attract more wildlife and plant varieties to the parkland.

Replacement / resurfacing of the pathways. The riverbank extending from the bridge to the Dominican College needs to be levelled and a tree lined walkway developed, lighting to be an extension of the “gas” style lights in the park area. The “Vision” Working Group are currently costing and preparing a specification for the replacement and widening of the paths within the park area (known locally as “The Strand”), and we are hopeful that this project will commence prior to the end of 2005 - however we are awaiting word on what funding will be available.

Natural Wildflower Meadow
The Wildflower Meadow bloomed beautifully last year; species that can be seen in the Liffeyside Amenity Area include Willowherb, Birds Foot Trefoil, Scabious, Knapweed, Lady’s Bedstraw, Common Spotted Orchid. The meadow is now used by the local schools during their Nature / Environment Studies.

We sourced our seed from Design by Nature, Monavea Cross, Crettyard, Carlow. To contact them:
Email: Design By Nature
Web: www.wildflowers.ie

The Liffey Bridge
The Tidy Towns Association have lobbied to have Droichead Conlaoch, (originally built in 1936), refurbished. We have proposed that the walls be removed to open a vista of the Liffey, and that a safe route to schools be created by the provision of boardwalks hanging on the sides of the bridge (there are approximately 2000 children attending the five schools in the area adjacent to the bridge). The need to refurbish the bridge has been adopted as policy by the Town Council.

The Viewing Area
The viewing area, adjacent to the bridge had been giving cause for concern in recent years; the paved area was in a poor state mainly due to serious subsidence. Working together the Tidy Towns Association, County Council and Town Council prepared a plan which would restore this area, and make the area accessible to all. The planned improvement works were specified by Mr. Colm Flynn (Area Engineer - Kildare County Council), and tenders were issued. The project cost €66,009 to complete, the Councils jointly contributed €30,000, K.E.L.T. (Kildare Leader 11 Teoranta) provided €30,000 and and a number of local business concerns provided the balance of €6,100.

This was an excellent example of how a project planned by community groups in conjunction with the local authorities and financed by means of a public / private partnership arrangement could have a significant beneficial effect on the local environment.