Teagasc and Carlow Councils Combine to Develop New Forest Park
A new public forest park was officially opened at Oak Park, Carlow today, Friday, 2 June 2006. Teagasc who own the Oak Park estate, has leased some 127 acres of forest lands to Carlow County and Town Councils for use as a major public park. The two Councils have spent almost €400,000 on the project which has created one of the region’s top forest park recreational amenities.
Colour-coded walkways of varying lengths have been created along with a seated picnic area overlooking the lake. Wheelchair accessible walkways through the woodland are a special feature of this public park. Spaces for 100 cars and facilities have been provided.
Prof Jimmy Burke, Head Teagasc Crops Research Centre at Oak Park described the facility as one of the best in the country. “The work to-date has ensured the sensitive development of the area, mindful of the natural environment and the wildlife inhabiting the new Forest Park. Teagasc created a wildlife sanctuary at the Oak Park lands over 40 years ago and this will be maintained,” he said.
Areas such as the Butlers Woodland Loop which is wheelchair accessible, the Lake Walk, Fox Convert Walk and Island Walks are something to be experienced according to Teagasc Director, Jim Flanagan. He said that the joint initiative between the Carlow County and Town Councils and Teagasc “was a great example of how things can get done when there is vision and leadership to do so.”
“The entire Oak Park complex is set on 800 acres including forestry and lake. This area developed as a new forest park for use by the people of Carlow is a natural regenerating woodland area which is ideal for a Forest Park. It would be impossible to recreate such a fine facility from scratch,” he said.
Council Chairman, Michael Meaney said: “This was a very generous decision by Teagasc to lease this valuable woodland for community use. It is a treasure island of great beauty. The Forest Park will be of huge benefit to the people of Carlow and the surrounding counties.” Town Council Chairman, Michael Abbey said: “The boardwalk access will be of particular benefit to the disabled and for families with prams”.
Carlow County Manager, Joe Crockett said: “The project typifies excellent co-operation between three public agencies, Teagasc, Carlow County Council and Carlow Town Council. The generosity of Teagasc in leasing the land to Carlow local authorities is an outstanding example of citizenship and public service.” He also said that “credit must be given to the political leadership of the members of Carlow Local Authorities who made the provision of a major park a public policy priority and made funding available.”
The Park is a mature mixed species woodland with a predominance of Beech, Ash, Scots Pine, Larch and considerable regeneration of broadleaf trees (especially Ash / Sycamore). The woodland has an extensive range of ferns, mosses and woodland flora.
The lakes and their surrounds provide a habitat for swans and ducks, while the Islands shelter many wild and game birds. The Woodland Walks extend over 4 kilometres including Butlers Wood Loop (700m), Lake Path (800m), Fox Covert Track (1100m) and Sally Island Trail (1700m). Informal leisure areas, picnic sites and viewing facilities of the woods, lakes and islands are features of the park.
Background History of the Oak Park Estate
The Oak Park estate was always an integral part of the area being a significant employer in the region from 1800 to the mid ‘50’s. It has become part of the history of the town and county.Oak Park was first owned by the Cooke family who were dispossessed of the lands in 1725. Subsequently, it has been owned by five generations of the Bruen family, having purchased the property comprising of 1600 acres in 1775. By 1843 this had increased to 21,000 acres.
The last owner in the Bruen dynasty was Henry Bruen who died in 1954 and left the property to his first cousin, Francis Bruen. A move zealously contested legally by his daughter, Patricia. A subsequent court case ordered everything to be sold and the proceeds divided evenly between both parties. At the auction the land was purchased by Brownshill Farms and a number of years later it was taken over by the Land Commission.
In the division that followed, An Foras Taluntais purchased part of the lands for a new Crops Research Centre. In subsequent years An Foras Taluntais joined with Acot to form Teagasc who own the lands today. Two years ago Teagasc relocated its corporate head office to Oak Park House and the Crops Research Centre operate the lands.
