Fermanagh Omagh Council defends works to Forthill Park

Forthill Park.

After being closed for almost a year while £200,000 works were carried out – the reopening of the park several months after its original projected reopening date has seen local criticism of a number of aspects of the works carried out.

Most notably, the Victorian bandstand, erected in 1895 in recognition of the work of Thomas Plunkett – who served on the Enniskillen Board of Guardians, and the Town Commissioners and was responsible for many improvements in Enniskillen including the redevelopment of the Forthill Pleasure Grounds – now looks even worse than before the park’s almost year-long closure, with the bandstand’s peeling, chipped paint and speckled rust particularly prominent.

The Council had previously told this newspaper that the park would require further resurfacing work to the paths, but the work that has been done thus far is aesthetically concerning, with concrete paths patched with tarmac – an issue that a Council spokesperson clarified in a response to this newspaper, below.

Forthill Park.

During the park’s closure, Cole’s Monument underwent conservation works. Conservation, restoration and repairs were made to the stonework and viewing platform, and the statue, sitting atop a 30-metre Doric column, was cleaned, while other works were carried out around the park.

However, speaking to this newspaper, one park user said: “I like the park, and was probably one of the first people in when it reopened, but to say I was disappointed by what I saw is an understatement.

“I think the Council said they have more work to do, but it all just looks very poor, right now – I can’t really see what they’ve been doing in there. Months of being closed down, for this?”

In response to a number of queries out to the Council about the works carried out at the park, to date, a Council spokesperson defended and detailed the works and spend, and pointed out that a number of follow-up works have yet to be enacted.

Forthill Park.

They said: “The £200,000 was spent on the following items: stabilisation, drainage, regrading and sub-structures of paths; £60k; and works to stone steps and to Cole’s Monument, £140k.

“Benches are being recycled/refurbished from those displaced as part of the Public Realm Works [in Enniskillen centre].

“Safety-related tree works were undertaken, but a separate budget was applied. Spring planting is currently under way.”

The issue of the dilapidated bandstand was also raised, with the spokesperson saying the Council “has commissioned and received a full conservation survey of the Bandstand and a costed scope of works”, but “the bandstand will require a full conservation/restoration intervention by specialist contractors”.

Forthill Park.

They continued: “Estimated costs for this are £200k. The Council is currently seeking grant aid to allow this work to progress.”

Finally, on the issue of the appearance of the pathways, the spokesperson clarified that “works still to be done on the paths are the application of a top dressing coat of resin-bonded gravel”.

They added: “This work requires a dry period and a minimum temperature. At this stage it is planned that these works will be undertaken in September, and can be completed in under a week.”