Douglas Tidy Towns Action Plan 2012-2017

1. Douglas Tidy TownsAction Plan 2012-2017 Ideas and Brainstorming Written and Presented by Pádraic Vallely

2. Current Status

3. Breakdown %

4. Comparison of Large Towns in Cork

6. Overall Development Approach • Development of Website • Acknowledgement of Local Businesses and Community Supports • Strong Volunteer Network

7. Overall Development Approach • Where to Improve • Short to Medium Term Plans Drawn Up • Priority projects need to be identified. • “detailed application form together with the most useful map listing the 72 separate projects and items you were involved in during the year”- Westport Tidy Towns 2012 • “The extension of the Tidy Towns Year in Ennis to run from early spring to late autumn is a new departure and one that will no doubt prove to be fruitful” Ennis Tidy Towns • “The Tidy Towns Group is commended on your organized approach to the competition which is reflected in your close relationship with local businesses (and wider community) and your innovative and practical initiatives for dealing with litter control – which include asking the shop/business owners to sweep in front of their premises in the morning and afternoon and identifying ‘zones’ for litter control.” Clonakilty

8. The Built Environment • The painting of that unoccupied block is much to your credit. • Full marks also for your treatment of the unoccupied cottages. • The railings at the Community Park bring a tidy effect to their surroundings • It was uplifting to come on Fingerpost Cottage. The Church building, the scout hall, St Luke’s School provide an attractive cluster of buildings, the unusual colouring of the Church creating interest.

9. The Built Environment • “Public buildings in Ennis are beautifully presented” • “Shop fronts in the town center in most instances are attractively presented "Ennis • Things to Do • Heritage and Historical plate re Douglas Woolen Mills • Guttering in the Community Park building.

10. Landscaping • Positives • Divine rose bed on some road into Douglas • The Fingerpost Roundabout is a delight • Planting in the Community Park is also attractive. • The adjudicator is especially pleased that you have a policy of continuous tree planting.

11. Landscaping • Landscaping in Ballincollig makes a strong, positive visual statement • “The sculpture in all cases adds a further dimension to the soft landscaping”. Carrigaline • “Well Done on Large-scale landscaping initiative for your residential areas” Fermoy • The Cultural Centre has been enhanced with colorful flowerbeds “Killarney”

12. Wildlife and Amenities • Positives • Upkeep of your Community Park and Mangala Woods • Trail through the woods across from the Park • There is another great walkway to the rear of St Columbas

13. Wildlife and Amenities • The 'Biodiversity of Ennis' talk is invaluable in demonstrating the abundance of wildlife in the urban area.-”Ennis” • The park is a treasure. The fitness machines remind one of travelling on the continent. Carrigaline” • The wildlife training in species identification is an excellent initiative “Dundalk”

14. Litter Control • No evidence whatever of dumping and the Bring Centre is immaculate • Need to create litter awareness programmes than on cleaning. • Further signs needed- Keep Douglas Clean • Pursue a policy of ‘Do Not Drop It’

15. Litter Control • “Well done on dog fouling bins also” Ballincollig • “The Personal Poop dispensers for dogs is a creative solution to an ugly problem” Ennis • “Gum Litter Task force Campaign”. Ennis • “whereby business owners take responsibility for the pavement directly outside the premises and the zones of responsibility sounds like a very practical and effective approach”- Clonakilty • “Well done also on your work to raise litter awareness in the schools and the junior litter patrol is an excellent initiative” Clonakilty

16. Tidiness • Well done on your efforts in relation to the graffiti problem. • You as a committee have done wonders in camouflaging buildings that are now under pressure either by painting or art work. • Well done in your efforts to maintain the road signage • Kerbside weeds. Watch the kerbside weeds

17. Tidiness • “Weeding at the base of walls and along the footpaths is excellent” AbbeyShrule • The Spring Clean day with neighboring Belgooley appears to have been a great success not to mention fun and it is good to note that it will continue” Kinsale” • Well done on securing agreement among all the political parties to keep Westport an election poster-free zone “Westport” • Suddenly it dawns on one that the there is a pattern to the condition of bus stops. They all seem clean and inviting “Waterford City”

18. Waste Minimisation • Green Flag Status. And the outcome has been very successful as green flags wafted in the summer breeze at St Luke's and St Columbas? It is a great sign of a healthy attitude to waste minimization when one finds a poly tunnel at the rear of the school. • Smart Garage Guide should also be encouraging to people involved in garage work • Your website is most helpful in describing the projects

19. Waste Minimisation • The Grow It Yourself movement appears to be taking hold in the town also. ”Ennis” • The adjudicator is impressed by your multi-pronged approach to reducing waste in your community through educating your residential community with your regular tips on energy management, reducing food waste, composting and your engagement with business. “Cobh” • Composting and Heat treatment to water conservation and better bulbs “Tallanstown”

20. Residential Areas • What about inter estate competitions, or garden competitions to promote aesthetic values among the dwellers of beautiful Douglas? • The quality of the estates reflects this demand. Many of the estate entrances are regal in appearance as at Paddock or Maryborough Woods.

21. Residential Areas • A very high standard of garden presentation was noted “Dundalk” • Ballincollig is one of the few towns in the country whereby all housing estates are clearly signposted from the town centre and this facilitates easy access. “Ballincollig” • The subsidized paint scheme for external work to residential and commercial properties including boundary walls in residential areas is a particularly good idea “Kinsale”

22. Roads Streets and Back Areas • An endearing feature of the Douglas experience is the way in which the roads sweep down from on high into the centre. Front walls, the trees and footpaths, the houses all seem to benefit from this descent to town. • Where does it start and finish? From what the adjudicator could decipher there are no ‘Welcome to Douglas’ signs.

23. Roads Streets and Back Areas • All entrances to Ballincollig are beautifully presented in terms of street furniture, road and footpath surfaces, landscaping and roundabouts the latter were particularly admired.”Ballincollig” • The painted nameplates/town twinning signs are attractive “Kinsale” • Cultural fingerpost signs look particularly well Ennis;

24. General Tips • Tight Management Structure needed with a keen focus on community organisation. • Key Focus on Fundraising- With innovative thinking to fundraise for events. • Objective on having 4 events a year. • Need for Short, Medium and Long Term Plans • Strong Volunteer Network needed- Need to recognise the efforts of the community workers • Buy in from Local Community and Businesses