A two-year, ongoing project to complete a 5km riverside trail around the westside of Athlone will be open in time for the summer, it was revealed this week.
This week the Athlone Tidy Towns committee welcomed the arrival of the 29 finger posts and information signs that will assist and inform all who wish to go left or right along the river.
The trail begins in the shadow of Athlone Castle, with the first sign being located on the quay wall, with walkers able to go north through Ranelagh or south to the Big Meadow.
The 5km loop takes about an hour or so of sights and sounds to complete, and takes in the old canal from Big Meadow and its still functional part alongside Talbot Avenue.
“The trail takes you mostly along the banks of the river Shannon, and then for some part along the banks of the old canal, then you’ll rejoin the river bank as the trail takes you through the beautiful grassy Big Meadow,” said Shay Hamilton of Athlone Tidy Towns committee, and an avid promoter of this project.
“Along the way you will be prompted along by finger post signs, and there are additional information signs telling you about all the flora and fauna, fish, and wildlife to be enjoyed on the walk,” he continued.
After getting a grant for €25,000 from the town council, the Tidy Towns committee have been progressing this project since March 2011, and will have naturalist Eanna Ní Lamhna formally launch it in the Shamrock Lodge on May 13 at 10.30am.
The signs were built and erected by local firm Spectrum Signs, also based on the town’s Westside, and include quick response codes. These codes allow Smartphones and iPhones access to further information on the internet after being scanned.
The committee has also completed seven linked projects on the 5 km trail, including a tree survey, habitat mapping, a website, a wildflower garden, the erection of bat and bird houses, an attempt at mink control, and a live birdbox camera “just like Mooney [on Radio 1]” which can be accessed on www.athlonetidytowns.ie
