New park amenity to open in Kildare by early summer
The gardens are a short distance from the town centre
The long awaited opening of Oldtown Gardens to the public will take place in late spring or early summer.
Some 15 acres of the lands off Sallins Road, Naas, which include water features and walkways, are in public ownership.
The property is also known as the De Burgh lands, after the original owner, and were transferred to the then Naas Town Council in 2011.
A Naas Municipal District meeting was told that 100 people will be admitted per day and the allocated ticket will last for a day but this will be reviewed after the amenity is opened up.
Visitors will be able to make a booking online.
Kildare County official Simon Wallace said that the gardens will close at the end of October.
He said parking facilities will not be provided and referring to fears expressed by Cllr Carmel Kelly that people will park in nearby residential areas, Mr Wallace said he hoped that this would not happen.
There will be some limited disabled parking and it is hoped that visitors will use car parks such as the Naas Town Centre.
The meeting was also told that parking spaces will be provided for cyclists.
The open days are likely to be Saturday and Sunday initially and dogs are not allowed.
Green Party councillor Bob Quinn said tickets should last for just part of the day instead and he was opposed to closing the gardens in October.
“It should be open on a year round basis,” he said.