asked the Minister for Lands if he will outline the progress and expenditure to date on the John F. Kennedy Memorial Park at Sliabh Coillte, County Wexford; and his proposals for the future development of the park.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Kennedy Memorial Park.
58.
Expenditure to date on the John F. Kennedy Park, including the cost of land, amounts to approximately £310,000. A very generous contribution of $146,000 has been made towards this expenditure by the Kennedy Memorial Committee in the United States.
At the end of last planting season some 700 species had been planted in the arboretum while 89 plots of different species had been established in the forest garden. Other features of the park are the:
(1) Phenological garden where 24 species of trees and shrubs have been planted.
(2) Roadside planting where about 3 acres have been planted as a demonstration of suitable species and mixtures for road landscaping and
(3) Lakeside planting where colourful trees and shrubs suitable for waterside gardening have been planted. The recreation area has been developed; the woods have been improved by planting shrubs, putting down paths and cascading the streams. Picnic tables are located at 14 points in this area.
Future work at the park will consist mainly in the building up of the arboretum, the completion of the forest garden and the development of scientific and educational features for visiting students and scientists. It is planned to provide catering facilities for the public next year.