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Gardening work going on in the Town Park on Wednesday.
KERRY County Council staff have been working this week in the Tralee Town Park after disappointment was expressed about its appearance over the past few months.
The Council has come in for heavy criticism recently from Tralee Municipal District (MD) councillors, businesses and the general public for the poor state of the grass and plants in the Park.
Councillors and the public have also criticised the lack of policing in the Town Park playground where teenagers and older children are causing problems and making it a no-go area for families.
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In the Tralee MD meeting last week, Cllr Jim Finucane said the Tidy Towns judges would be visiting in a few weeks and the Council would only be playing catch up at this stage due to the scale of work to be done in the Park.
Cllr Toireasa Ferris said that the Town Park is not looking its best. She said it was looking ‘butchered and scalped’ in some parts due to the equipment used to cut the grass. She said it is essential that the Park looks its absolute best for the people of the town and visitors.
According to the Council; “Kerry County Council is in the process of appointing a new gardener for Tralee Town Park and this role is expected to be filled very shortly. Staff of Tralee Municipal District have been and are tending to issues as required in the interim. Maintenance and enhancement works will be prioritised in the Town Park over the coming weeks.” The Caretaker position has also been filled.
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Fianna Fáil candidate in the local elections, Mikey Sheehy, also criticised the delay in the gardener position being filled. “I’ve met a number of people whilst canvassing who feel that the space is not meeting its potential, with grass cuttings being left uncollected and the Rose Gardens looking unkempt and I believe not having a gardener in place has a lot to do with that,” he said.
“The closing date for applications was the 6th December 2018, we are now five months down the line and the position has yet to be filled. I understand a panel has now been formed but this should have been completed much sooner,” he added.
A number of people have also contacted TraleeToday.ie to complain about rubbish in the Garden Of The Senses and anti-social behaviour there. When we visited the Garden Of The Senses on Wednesday afternoon, there were adults drinking alcohol.
Gardaí are encouraging the public to contact them immediately when they see any anti-social behaviour going on in the Park and said they would respond as soon as possible. They are also encouraging people to use the ‘See Something, Say Something’ text number 50555.
As a visitor to my town now, I also noted this and contacted tourist office re some issues. I did find they did respond and try to find solutions.
I hope visual impact is swift.