LEE TO SEA
The vision of the Lee to Sea is getting closer. The Regional Park walking routes have been extended further. Paths at the Fionn Laoi end of the Park have been widened and a new loop has been introduced.
Great credit is due to Cork City Council Parks Department for their continued commitment to the Regional Park.
There is a managed plantation which will come into its own in the coming years.
The walk by the river is really lovely whatever the weather.

 

LITTER PICK
Last Sunday morning, seventeen Volunteers were out doing Litter Picks while three more Volunteers were working on removing graffiti from various walls, signs, etc. around Ballincollig.
It is very disappointing to see so many facemasks and fast-food takeaway wrappings discarded on the streets.
In total twelve bags of Litter were collected.
Two bags of Green Waste were also collected.
Several of our Volunteers were doing daily Litter Picks and eight bags of Litter, one bag of Plastic and one bag of Cans were collected.

 

 

CLEANING CONTINUES
Denis spent the majority of his weekend cleaning more signs around town. Among them were the signs on Carriganarra Road and Castle Road. This is a very tough job as many signs can be quite difficult to clean.
However, the added time and now the added expense of cleaning signs, walls, bins etc which have been sprayed, (Seno you know who you are), can make the entire project more demanding and more difficult.
Despite this, Ballincollig is looking so much better with clean signs.
INNISCARRA BRIDGE
A great job was done by John and Anthony this week. They cleaned under the Ballincollig sign at the Inniscarra Bridge and the result is excellent.
FEEL FREE TO PICK UP
After receiving a phone call this week with regard to picking up litter from parts of the Regional Park, Ballincollig Tidy Towns is 100% on board with people getting involved.  
Anyone who sees litter and wishes to pick it up that would be wonderful. The more litter picked up the cleaner the place, especially the Regional Park where so many more people frequent now that travel restrictions have lifted and the weather has improved.
Ballincollig Tidy Towns would ask anyone picking any amount of litter to wear gloves for their own safety, put litter in black refuse bags and to let Tidy Towns know so that litter pickers can be made available to make the job easier.
Any larger amount of litter collected from there can be left at the inside entrance to the Regional Park where Volunteers will collect it.
 
CORK SPORTS PARTNERSHIP

ALLOTMENT WILDFLOWERS
This week Wildflower seeds were planted at the Allotment in the section in front of the Tunnel. There are two varieties, the Dairymaid and Pollinator Mix. Looking forward to a lovely display in the coming months.
RIVERS AND RIVERS’ LIFE
On Thursday 29th April at 7pm there will be an Illustrated Talk on Rivers and Rivers’ Life with Donna Weiner.
Join the Cork Nature Network to learn of the importance of river health, the wildlife that depend on rivers and how we can make a difference to help protect our local waterways with citizen science.
Donna Weiner who is a lifelong naturalist has dedicated her life to appreciating and protecting the natural environment and she will be giving the talk on the night.
The event is free and will be hosted via Zoom and attendees are required to register at www.EventBrite.ie  
ALLOTMENT CAR PARK SPLASH OF COLOUR
BE SUMMER-READY CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED
This week the ‘Be Summer-Ready’ 2021 Public Safety Information Campaign was launched by the government. Although the campaign provides advice on staying safe this summer across a wide range of topics, it’s main focus is to ‘Be Alert to Water Safety’.
The campaign was jointly launched by the Minister for Defence and Chair of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, Mr. Simon Coveney T.D., the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Ms. Heather Humphreys T.D. and Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport and Logistics, Ms. Hildegarde Naughton T.D.
Minister Coveney spoke of the importance of ensuring we are vigilant with regard to our personal safety when working/visiting the coast, lakes, rivers or the countryside now that the weather is getting better and the days longer.
The parent Department of Water Safety Ireland is the Department of Rural and Community Development and speaking at the launch, Minister Heather Humphreys said, “Every death by drowning is a tragedy for the family, friends and communities of the victim.
Her main message was that everyone would work together to minimize such tragedies.
Hundreds are saved from drowning every year and thousand receive first aid through the efforts of several organisations. She urged everyone to remain vigilant during holidays when people tend to let their guard down and also to take extra care of themselves and loved ones near waterways.
Conversations we have with loved ones need to include Water safety.
That’s why campaigns, such as the ‘Be Summer Ready’ initiative, are so important.”
The importance of the Irish Coast Guard and the role it plays during the summer months was mentioned. Minister Naughton said, “The launch of the Be Summer-Ready campaign was a timely reminder of the need to attend to our own personal safety, to be aware of what to do in the event of an emergency, and to observe a few simple common-sense rules before engaging in any activity’. He went on to say that we are likely to see increased levels of activity on our coastline and on the water this summer, given the restrictions on international travel. There has been a significant increase in numbers participating in open water swimming, as an all-year-round activity and certainly for longer than what was regarded as the traditional outdoor swimming season.
Their message was clear – no matter the activity on the water this summer – before people go on or near the water to make a plan. Ensure that someone knows where people are going and what time they are expected back. Make sure they have a means of communication be it a VHF radio or fully charged mobile phone; check the weather forecast and tide times, and always wear a lifejacket when taking to the water.
Minister Coveney also spoke of how important Water Safety is to us all in Ireland. Ireland has some of the most wonderful waterways and beaches in the world and they become very popular in the summer yet, tragically, drownings can happen easily. Everyone should know how to stay safe in the water and it is important that we also teach this to our children” he said.
The ‘Be Summer-Ready’ campaign is a ‘Whole of Government’ initiative aimed at providing information to the general public on the potential risks that may affect them during the summer months.
The campaign’s messages will be delivered through internet and social media-based information platforms across Government and by the provision of a ‘Be Summer-Ready’ information booklet and a ‘Be Alert to Water Safety’ leaflet which are both available for download at http://www.gov.ie/summerready
DARKNESS INTO LIGHT

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS