A couple of weeks ago we visited Balla Town Park. The park, managed by the local community, consists of a series of walks, we choose the fairy village trail.
Fairy Village Trail
The town was left land by a local landlord. In 2015, the community applied for a Neighbourwood scheme. An area of 35 acres of old estate wood was cleared of encroaching laurel and planted with 3000 young deciduous trees. These new trees, along with the existing old trees, now make a wonderful diverse woodland. The old trees include oak, beech and horse chestnut trees.
Old oak trees with newly planted trees in foreground
Mixed tree ages
Well laid paths, benches, picnic table, tree trail and interpretation boards all add to the visitors experience. The fairy village including some lovely sculptured way markers, are a great addition particularly for the younger visitors. They are a great incentive for encouraging young ones to go for walks and explore. It is hoped to install a bird hide in the near future. Birds boxes and bats boxes have been erected and there are plenty brash piles for wildlife too.
The Neighbourwood scheme is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine. It aims to encourage communities to woodlands as a local community amenities.
Balla Town Park
Balla Town Park is a wonderful example of what can be done to create a great resource of local people and visitors.
Murtagh's Meadow 
What a precious thing to invest in: a “neighbourwood”. Love it!
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It is a great idea and one that will be used by generations.
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With so many trees being cut down across the land, it is nice that they are planting more. Woodlands are some of my favorite places to be.
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Mine too Eliza. I just love trees and the bigger they are, the more impressive they are.
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With most of the area’s virgin timber long since gone, it is a rare joy to come upon an ancient tree.
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That is a shame – we don’t have many either but in places like this you can find some – I did hug one of the lovely oak trees.
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I would have done the same! There is one really old maple tree up the road that I call ‘Grandmother Tree.’ Her trunk is about 5′ thick. There was rumor that the town wanted to cut it down, because it was old and near the road, but so far that has not happened. Old does not equal infirm!
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Well said!
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What a lovely park and now I know where the fairy doors are. I love the old gate posts in your last picture, a promise of things to come.
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Well spotted Cathy!
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Your post has warmed my heart. Always wonderful to see such projects taking shape. I love to walk in woods especially at this time of the year.(oh the colour of the beech leaves) and will also be spotted hugging a tree, absorbing its strength and stability. Love Steph x
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I am delighted to say that a few days ago the community won the Best Urban Neighbourhood/Village in the 300-100 population category in the National Pride of Place awards.
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Wonderful news and I’m certain well deserved. Praise and recognition is important too. 🙂
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What an excellent park and heartwarming scheme. It seems such a simple idea but obviously complex to execute. Hurrah for the local landlord who donated the land.
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When you come over next year we will put on our list of places to visit.
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What a lovely place for weekend walks.
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It certainly is 🙂
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Really cool to plant indigenous trees! The way to go! 😉
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It certainly is.
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