There’s a new park to explore once the lockdown is over.

Haulbowline Public Park is due to welcome its first local visitors at the end of this week, with a scenic 4km of new waterside paths to enjoy on your next stroll outside 5km.

The Park opens on Friday, January 15th, 9am-4.30pm.

A former Irish Steel steelworks dump from 1939 until 2001, the area has undergone an intensive €25m overhaul led by Cork County Council, complete with hundreds of new trees, wildflowers and landscaping, bird watching points and seating.

The project was undertaken in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine in response to the need to remediate the East Tip.

The opening of the park was confirmed by Carrigaline’s Cllr Marcia D’Alton on Twitter: “Judging from the numbers out walking in the past few days, the timing couldn’t be better.” Cllr D’Alton tweeted.

Hurrah! We have just had it confirmed that the park at Haulbowline Island will be opening at the end of next week 👏👏👏. Judging from the numbers out walking in the past few days, the timing couldn’t be better. We will be advised of the exact date in due course. pic.twitter.com/eFVCLnyBm9

— Cllr. Marcia D’Alton (@marciadalton) January 8, 2021

Last month, Mr. Simon Coveney T.D., Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence congratulated the officials in the County Council on their successful remediation of the former waste disposal site.

The Minister acknowledged the key role the Council have played in not just ensuring the successful remediation of the East Tip but also turning the disused site into a public amenity which will become a high amenity community asset which will be of benefit to the people of Cork for generations to come.