BIG READ: New River Ara Walkway in Tipperary is a welcome addition to the area
In this week's Nationalist
I took a walk along the River Ara Walkway on Good Friday. It was my first walk on the walkway, which has just opened recently.
The walk takes you from the front of the Abbey School along a winding route alongside the River Ara and up into Glenview Square, bringing you back onto the Station Road and back into town by the Abbey School.
The sun was shining and there was a lot of people out enjoying the facility during my walk.
I stopped at the playground, which is a lovely facility, and met mothers and children and captured some lovely images of the children happily playing and enjoying the swings, seesaw and slides.
The walkway is a 1km walk along the southern bank of the River Ara, from the new pedestrian bridge and connecting to existing paths and amenities in Glenview Square, creating a looped walkway in the area.
Work is still progressing on the various amenities along the River Ara Walkway which includes a community area and commemorative display wall, a playground constructed from natural materials, an amphitheatre for community events, an enhanced natural wetland area with viewing platforms and an elevated boardwalk, a river access point, native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers planted along the river path.
The walkway is 3m wide and the surface is finished with macadam making it fully accessible for all. It is a really lovely walk and should be so much nicer when the various native trees, shrubs and flowers that have been planted along the route come into their own.
The playground is a lovely stop off, particularly for parents and children, and it is great to see the natural materials used in this facility.
If you haven’t had the opportunity to visit this walkway then be sure to do so as its a very welcome addition to the social, environmental and educational needs of the area.
Funding for the project was provided by the Department of Rural and Community Development under the Rural Regeneration & Development Fund, Outdoor Infrastructure Recreation Scheme and Tipperary County Council.