Donegal County Council has undertaken initial clearance works for the development of the ‘Urban Adventures Sports Project’ within the boundary of the park.

The development will consist of a multi-use all weather play area to accommodate a wide range of sports with an adjacent prefabricated climbing frame. The area will also have an outdoor covered stage with tiered seating for events and exhibitions.

The project is a collaboration between Donegal Sports Partnership, Donegal County Council, Gartan Outdoor Adventure Centre and the many youth organisations both statutory and community supporting youth in the town.

First mooted back in 2017 by Councillor Jimmy Kavanagh, proposed plans went out to public consultation early last year. The project was subsequently given the green light by Donegal County Council.

Speaking to the Donegal News, Cllr Kavanagh said he is “very optimistic” the council will receive the funding to complete the project, which will then be put out to tender and completed before year end.

“I raised a motion back in a September 2017 at MD level asking if we could make an application to Donegal Sports Partnership. The idea behind it was that we would have young people from the town experience adventure sports. A fund of €47,000 from that application was put together and a consultation was drawn up.”

Cllr Kavanagh said the town park was considered because of its central location and because it is heavily utilised.

“There had been incidents of anti-social behaviour, and the idea behind this project was that it would open up the area and improve it.

“When the site clearance is finished, we are very optimistic we will receive the funding to complete this project, which will be put out to tender this year and completed by the end of 2022.”

Other areas of the park are also seeing substantial investment and improvements. A planning notice placed in a grass area close to The Vestry outlines a proposed development by Cairde Le Cheile Committee CLG. The group has applied to Donegal County Council for planning permission for the development of tea rooms and social area including sensory room, sensory garden multi purpose changing room, toilets to which the public will have access and disability access to all areas from the Bernard McGlinchey Town Park.

Cllr Kavanagh said it is also expected that works on the  currently closed Sweet Factory Playground will be carried out in the first half of this year.

“All these works will open up the park and make good use of it for activities and music events in a safe environment.”