New €3 million Village Park for Naul officially opened

Fingal County Council has today proudly opened the all-new Naul Village Park, a welcoming and inclusive community space in the heart of the village for residents and visitors to enjoy.

Constructed at an approximate cost of €3 million, the park has been designed with community input to provide a high-quality outdoor amenity for people of all ages and abilities, creating opportunities for children to play, families to relax and friends to connect.

The official opening brought together public representatives, residents and groups from across the community, including the Mayor of Fingal, Cllr. Tony Murphy, Chief Executive of Fingal County Council AnnMarie Farrelly, Minister for Social Protection and Minister for Rural and Community Development Dara Calleary, local councillors, TDs and Senators, representatives of Vision Contracting - who delivered the project, and members of local community organisations.

At the heart of the development is a new village green, alongside an inclusive playground and a dedicated community garden space. The new park provides opportunities for children and families to play and spend time together, while also offering quieter areas where people can sit, relax and enjoy their surroundings.

Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Tony Murphy, said: “Naul Village Park captures the very best of community investment. It provides a welcoming space for people of all ages and abilities to come together, enjoy the outdoors and strengthen the connections that make Naul such a special place. I have no doubt this park will become a cherished part of village life and a lasting legacy for future generations.”

The development also includes new pedestrian entry points from the village centre and from the adjoining residential area, as well as new seating, pollinator friendly plantings and picnic areas. The park was carefully designed to provide recreational features for the entire community and to strengthen pedestrian links within the village, including a new accessible connection to the Séamus Ennis Arts Centre.

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Dara Calleary, said: “Strong rural communities are built on places that bring people together, foster a sense of belonging and enhance quality of life. Naul Village Park is a wonderful example of that vision in action. It will provide a welcoming space for families, children, older residents and visitors, while strengthening the social and cultural fabric that makes villages like Naul such special places to live, work and visit.”

Other features of the park include a dedicated space for community use, rain gardens, enhanced boundary treatments, a drinking water fountain, a cyclist rest stop and dedicated parking facilities. Additionally, the retention of the existing hedgerow on the site was key to protecting existing biodiversity. Wildflower seed was also harvested from the site and resown in the park to allow for continuity of the plant community, along with the reuse of stone for paving features and local timber for seating.

Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, AnnMarie Farrelly, said: "The opening of Naul Village Park reflects Fingal County Council's commitment to enhancing our towns and villages through high-quality public amenities. Through a Council investment of almost €3 million, this park provides an accessible and attractive facility that will support the continued growth and vitality of Naul. Community input played a key role in shaping the project, helping to ensure it reflects local needs and aspirations. It is a valuable amenity that will support recreation, wellbeing and community life for years to come."

Senior Parks and Landscape Officer at Fingal County Council, Kevin Halpenny, welcomed the completion of the project: “The focus of the project has been on creating an inclusive and welcoming space which responds to a variety of community needs, from play and recreation to rest and reflection. The combination of the village green, playground and gardens, creates a versatile public space, and we look forward to seeing the park become a well-loved community space for the Naul.”

By investing in community facilities such as this and combining areas for children to play, green spaces to relax, and areas for the community to gather, the new park will provide a focal point for community activity while enhancing the experience of those living in and visiting Naul.