If it looks cleaner that's because it is cleaner!

Redmond Park Celebrates Neighbours' Day

Redmond Park celebrated "Neighbours' Day" this morning in glorious sunshine. Over coffee and muffins we did what good neighbours do: we talked about the weather, we talked about the park and how well it is looking, we praised the coffee, and we got back to the weather. After the dark clouds and the strong winds of the past few days it was lovely to simply feel warm sunshine on the skin. The press photographers turned up and snapped like crazy. Not much else on at this time of the day. Historian Jarlath Glynn called people to order and spoke about the Redmond brothers Willie and John, about their father, and about the general legacy of the family. Retired solicitor Jimmy O'Connor recalled the strong friendship that existed between his uncle Fintan and John Redmond. Councillor Jim Allen mentioned that his mother remembered a circus act in the park - some dare-devil jumping off a high ladder into a small pool. Imagine if he had missed! Some one else remembered when there was ballroom dancing in the park. And the sun kept on shining. What a lovely way to spend a morning.

"Andrea Woz 'Ere"

"People writing graffiti here will be executed. If you agree please sign below." We spotted that in the playground this evening. And we removed it, along with many more less inspired scribblings. WBC provided us with cans of magic spray which we figured would make the graffiti dissolve before our eyes. If only. Suffice to say that much elbow grease was applied. Still we got rid of most of the nastier stuff. All in all a good evening's work.
Our Town Sargeant arrived to lock the park gates around 8pm. While we give him 10/10 for locking the gates we cannot be so generous regarding his efforts to ensure the park is vacated first. This evening he left two small parties of revellers inside. Even the sight of a big 1/2 German Shepherd, 1/2 Alsatian dog, belonging to one of the parties, racing around the park did nothing to trigger a more proactive approach from the keeper of the key. With this laissez-faire attitude we really have no choice but to push for a lockable gate at the Parklands corner of the park, this being the only entry/exit point for the public when the main gates are locked.

Boules, Skate-boarding and Rounders at the Park

 The park has had a sleepy feel to it thusfar this year with nature pretty much having a free run at doing what it does in it's own quiet way. However, with the arrival of Summer the place is becoming more alive. The playground is much busier at weekends; the skate-boarders are there every evening using the park benches in their manoeuvres (an awful pity the skate-board park proposed for here was never actually brought in); there are regular soccer games on the top lawn; and just yesterday there was a mammoth game of rounders in the same space. Meanwhile the weekly sessions of boules continue as normal.
 The weekly clean-up on Wednesday mornings (9.15am) is making a real difference. On one particularly productive outing bags of old cans and bottles were removed from the pond area. A couple of other volunteers have been pressure hosing the front walls, pillars and gates with spectacular results. Weather permitting cleaning, sanding and painting of benches and gates will commence this week (from 6pm each evening). We would like to have the place looking well for "European Neighbours Day" on Friday (May 27).
 The "No Alcohol" and "No Dogs" signs should also be going up at the front gates in the week ahead. To be honest there have not been too many infringements in these areas of late. I think the message is getting through!
 We noticed, to our delight, a small yellow-breasted bird using one of the bird boxes during the week. Keep your eyes peeled and report back any sightings. Now if only we could get water back in the pond and ducks back on the water we would be made!

Redmond Park - Wexford's Children's Park

This charming and leafy oasis right in the heart of Wexford town has so much to offer. Children love it - and rightly so as it is, officially, Wexford's children's park. Adults love it, many remembering the happy days they spent there in their youth. Working together we want to give the park a make-over and get folks to realise what a gem they have on their doorstep. WE WANT THE KIDS TO RECLAIM THE PARK!
So how did Redmond Park or, to give its official title, the Children's Memorial Park, come to be where it is? A declaration of trust made on 16th September 1933 stated that certain lands and a building acquired at Spawell Road be turned into a public park for the children of Wexford. The park would also serve to commemorate Major Willie Redmond M.O. Chevalier of the Legion of Honour. Redmond died in the Great War, having been injured in the Battle of Messines, on 7th June 1917. Trustees were appointed and entrusted with the job of maintaining and improving the park. At some later time the duties of the trust were taken over by Wexford Borough Council. The latter now looks after the upkeep of the park and is responsible for ensuring that the park operates within the terms of the trust. In Spring 2011 a volunteer group consisting of local residents undertook to work with WBC to help maintain and promote the park.