Mayo town park Biodiversity Enhancement Project in full bloom

Castlebar Town Park is a significant urban green space located in Castlebar, Co Mayo. The Park is seen as a complimentary amenity site to the Castlebar Riverwalk and Great Western Greenway projects. The park consists of extensive amenity grasslands, children’s playground, multi-use games area (MUGA), fitness stations, and a central plaza.

During 2024 and 2025, Mayo County Council Biodiversity Officer has received funding through National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Local Biodiversity Action Fund to put in place biodiversity enhancement measures for Castlebar Town Park. The Town Park has immense potential to increase biodiversity, creating a greater space for nature and species richness through simple site management measures.

To date through the 2024 NPWS Local Biodiversity Action Plan Fund, the park has undergone measures to increase tree cover such as the planting of 30 plus potted native trees, 220 bare root native whips, 70m of native hedgerow along with development of large perennial pollinator flowerbeds. Where possible native trees have been used throughout the park such as alder, birch, oak, cherry and rowan. Native trees support larger numbers of diverse insects, lichens and bird species.

Further funding was acquired in 2025 via NPWS to continue developing habitats and actions for nature and wildlife in the park. It is proposed to further to develop the park through additional tree planting along its boundaries, such as planting native hedgerows. Hedgerows are fantastic habitats, providing shelter and a food source for mammals, providing nuts and berries, along with nectar and pollen for pollinators. They’re also vital wildlife corridors for mammals to travel safely along.

READ MORE: Mayo councillors raise concerns over absence of CCTV cameras near bus stop

Biodiversity Officer for Mayo County Council, Sheila Murphy stated: “It is hoped to enhance naturally occurring wetter areas in the park through appropriate wetland planting and the creation of a willow structure. All these features will lend to greater habitat connectivity within the park, via treelines, hedgerows and the Castlebar River riparian margins.

“The creation of a willow structure will help create a piece of natural infrastructure which will support biodiversity within the park. Native willow can support up to 266 insect species. Mayo County Council are signed up partners to the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan, supporting actions for pollinators. An important part of this is implementing simple grass cutting measures. Our native pollinators are struggling with over half of our 100 bee species in substantial decline and 30% are threatened with extinction.”

She went on to say: “The Town Park supports extensive areas of managed grassy areas, however by changing how often areas are cut, if gives greater opportunity for natural native wildflowers to grow, providing a vital food source for pollinators and grassy swards for insects to nest and shelter in. In 2025, sections of the park have been left to develop into meadow with striking native species emerging such as the cuckoo flower, bird’s foot trefoil, clovers, ox eye daisies and common spotted orchid. Such a diverse species sward in a short period of time is a fantastic achievement illustrating what can be achieve for biodiversity by simple actions and giving nature a chance to thrive.

“It is hoped that that a more diverse combination of habitats will not only be beneficial to local biodiversity but also create a much more interesting and enjoyable experience for park users and visitors to Castlebar.”

This project is managed and developed through Mayo County Council Biodiversity Office and Castlebar Municipal District and is funded by NPWS Local Biodiversity Action Fund. Castlebar Town Park is managed through Castlebar Municipal District, with additional input from local volunteer groups and schools.