Cavan County Council is pleased to announce that it has secured almost €300,000 in funds for the development of Con Smith Park, including the creation of a new Biodiversity Garden.
€250,000 was awarded for the delivery of a Biodiversity Garden, the maximum grant available under the North-West Regional Assembly’s Decarbonising Zones (DZ) Scheme, an initiative supported by the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment and cofunded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
The Scheme provides 100% grant funding to support innovative, communityfocused climate action projects located within or adjacent to designated Decarbonising Zones identified in Local Authority Climate Action Plans (LACAPs)
The Biodiversity Garden, which will be located at the southern end of Con Smith Park, will feature new pathways through the park, removal of non-native species, planting of native trees and hedges such as hornbeam, irises, alder, willow, oak and native reeds, along with the addition of wildflower meadows and raised beds.
A further €49,755 was awarded under the scheme for the development of a Masterplan for the expansion of Con Smith Park to the east towards the Cootehill Road on currently vacant lands.
This Masterplan will explore options to enhance the offering of Con Smith Park and to create additional green urban space to complement the existing park, introducing nature-based solutions to help deal with the seasonal flooding in the park, and supporting the restoration of the ecosystem and improve biodiversity.
Welcoming the funding announcement, Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, Cllr Carmel Brady said, “I am delighted to hear of this latest positive funding announcement for Cavan, which will significantly enhance one of Cavan Town’s most popular amenities. Cavan County Council enjoys an excellent working relationship with the North-Western Regional Assembly, and I would like to thank them for their ongoing support”.
Chief Executive of Cavan County Council, Eoin Doyle said, “I warmly welcome this award of almost €300,000 through the North-Western Regional Assembly. This Decarbonising Scheme, co-funded through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, will allow Cavan County Council to make significant strides in advancing key Climate Action goals, while also enhancing one of our most popular recreational amenities.
“I’d like to thank the NWRA for their ongoing support and acknowledge our staff here who are always alert to suitable funding opportunities for the county and our elected members who are stalwart supporters of our ambition in developing world-class amenities,” added Mr Doyle.
It’s expected that a contractor will be appointed to deliver the Biodiversity Garden in Q3 2026, while the Masterplan is due to be completed in 2027.
