New park plan boost for Lanesboro and Ballyleague as Access for All group secures funding

The award winning Lough Ree Access for All social enterprise group in Lanesboro Ballyleague is taking part in a national drive to promote local green spaces, biodiversity and community connections with new funding, secured through the AXA Parks Fund.

Access for all – with its nationally known wheelchair accessible boat on the Shannon - is one of the selected projects committed to enhancing community connections and environments by improving local infrastructure and amenities along the banks of the Shannon in Lanesboro and nearby, after receiving support from the new AXA Parks Fund, which is promoting green spaces across all 32 counties.

People of all ages will have access to a new green space – in a project being promoted alongside Roscommon county council’s Outdoor recreation plan for the riverside park area in Ballyleague which will not only help improve health and wellbeing but will also seek address the bio-diversity emergency which has seen many flowers, plants, trees and animals in danger, or in some cases disappear.

The project will see the introduction of new Irish native trees and shrubs, new bird boxes in the area , a beautiful new willow tunnel and much much more 

Ciaran Mullooly from Lough Ree Access for All said, “We have been working with Roscommon county council on this project for some time but the support of the AXA Parks Fund through The Community Foundation for Ireland is a great help in turning our vision into reality.

"We are working with ecologist Isabella Donnelly on the project. Local green spaces are vital assets which should be protected, promoted and supported. Our work now will not only deliver benefits for local people now but will help ensure the survival of our local biodiversity to be enjoyed for generations to come. Over 3000 people a year now visit the park to use the Access for All boat and we hope they will enjoy the changes we are making.”

This project is one of 84 being undertaken by community groups across Ireland with funding totalling €900,000 from the AXA Parks Fund.

Antoinette McDonald, Director of Marketing at AXA said, “AXA Parks is about helping local communities to thrive by empowering them with the resources they need to bring projects to life. Small, local groups continue to work tirelessly to deliver meaningful projects in their local communities. The grants announced today will become alive over the coming months as the community projects take shape and will brighten up the countryside for everyone next Spring and Summer.”

Denise Charlton, Chief Executive of The Community Foundation for Ireland added, “AXA Parks is helping enhance and develop green spaces for people of all ages and will be a gathering point for local communities. We are delighted to play an active role in this grants programme, which aligns with our own commitment to Sustainable Futures for all. The AXA Parks Fund hands communities the tools they need to make change in their own areas, centering local expertise and insight in an inspiring range of projects across the island supporting thriving ecosystems and stronger communities.”