3. Green Spaces and Landscaping
First impressions make a difference throughout the entire year. We want ot convey to visitors that Johnstown is a great place to live, work, and enjoy. With numerous green spaces, trees, hedges, and verges we can do so much more to enhance and maintain our public spaces.
Our Goals
2019 to 2022/23
Expand each section to read more.
Competition Guide Notes:
Communities should demonstrate the following: The planning, design and management of green spaces. The selection and appropriate siting of trees and their ongoing maintenance, including formative pruning, watering and attention to the stakes and ties. Presentation of landscaping of all entrances to your town/village/locality in consultation with your local authority, where appropriate. The use of suitable plants for hedges and shrubs for year round effect is important as is the siting of seasonal bedding schemes where you wish to highlight important areas. The use of plant containers can provide impact where it is not possible to plant directly into the ground. To reduce maintenance tasks limit the use of containers. To demonstrate the year round impact of the landscape works in your community, you are encouraged to provide dated photographs of, for example, daffodil schemes which are not evident in summertime.
- Advocate for active tree management and new planting.
2023
Additional trees needed for Metges Road
2022
Request and plant trees from MCC for Metges Road: 50 trees planted between Bailis Downs, Boyne, Elm & Chestnut, Cluain Na Boinne Estates✔️
6 trees planted at both Millbrook and Bailis Downs for the Dispersed Urban Orchard in association with Wild About Navan and Solas Glan Community Garden✔️
Continue tree species survey.✔️
2021
Promote the re homing of unwanted garden trees. ✔️
Request trees from MCC for Metges Road Chestnut Estate. ✔️
Continue tree species survey and create a guide.
2020
Initiate a tree species survey and create a guide. ✔️
Request trees from MCC for Public Planting on Metges Rd - Bailis Downs Estate. ✔️
Planting of x17 Horsechestnut trees on Metges Road to act as a screen. ✔️
2019
Identify trees with low branches over pavements for winter pruning. ✔️
2. Advocate for more sustainable forms of weed and pest management
2023
Devise a long term management solution for the Green Km.
Assist resident groups to manage their areas without dangerous chemicals.
2022
Survey areas under management where chemical control is used.✔️
Expand the trial project into private estates. ✔️
Propose a business plan that can fund and continue the work over a larger area. ✔️
Applied for €38k Community Capital Grant for the Foamstreat Treatment. ✔️
2021
Survey and map areas of concern. ✔️
Propose to MCC a public area to trial non-chemical weed management. ✔️
Implement a trial area to control weeds without chemicals - Green Km Project ✔️
Expand the trial project into private estates - Spireview Lawn ✔️
Identify areas where weed killer is being used by estate groups and potential alternative solutions to mitigate the use.
2020
Devise a strategy to tackle the issue and pilot an area. ✔️
Consult with other environment groups on their methods. ✔️
2019
Research causes, requirements and non chemical options. ✔️
3. Promote responsible dog waste practices and the reduction of dog fouling
2023
Repeat the 2018 Dog Day Event to encourage responsible dog ownership.
Request more locations for dog bag dispensers.
Revisit request for dog waste bins in black spots.
2022
Request more dog waste bins ✔️
Street signage on pavements implemented by MCC✔️
2021
Request dog waste bins in black spots - One installed in IDA ✔️
2020
Maintain the 4 JPP dog bag dispensers. ✔️
2019
Promote responsible dog ownership. ✔️
Maintain the 4 JPP dog bag dispensers. ✔️
4. Promote sustainable grass lawn management to increase biodiversity.
2022
Promote Delayed estate lawn cutting, 'No Mow May' and 'Don't Mow' Yet initiatives.✔️
Promote www.Pollinators.ie to educate the community. ✔️
Engage groups to implement sustainable practices. ✔️
Spireview Parade, Chestnut & Elm estate to grow summer meadows ✔️
Engage Walterstown GFC to host enlarged compost site.
2021
Identify trial areas in prominent locations. ✔️
Encourage estate groups to hold back from lawn cutting until late April. ✔️
Implement pilot schemes - Spireview Lawn Bank & Johnstown Wood Road End✔️
2020
Promote awareness on social media ✔️
2019
Support the Johnstown Wood group in their re-wilding project ✔️
5. All-year-round effect through planting.
2023
All Seasons: Implement planters at Johnstown Shopping Centre with low maintenance all year round perennial native / pollinator-friendly plants.
2022
Investigate the potential for St Martha's Bridge x30 Planter Display to host over winter display.✔️
Plans for more wildflower seed sowing placed on hold. Review the options to host perenial shrubs.✔️
2021
Summer to Autumn: St Martha's Bridge x30 Planter Display. ✔️
Summer: Native Irish Wildflower seed project - Bothar Sion Fence Line ✔️
Summer: Native Irish Wildflower seed project - JPP entrance. ✔️
Spring to Autumn: Nartural Summer Meadow project - Spireview Lawn. ✔️
Spring to Autumn: NarturalSummer Meadow project - Old Kilcarn Bridge Field. ✔️
Autumn: Sunflower Trail - 19 of the 28 sites planned were achieved. ✔️
2020
Research simple planting projects that will engage resident groups in creating pockets of planting throughout the area following a theme and season. ✔️
Implement Autumn planting of Spring Bulbs - Multiple Sites ✔️
Autumn: Trial Sunflower Planting with a residents group using a prominent location - Athlumeny Hall Bank ✔️
2019
Summer to Autumn: St Martha's Bridge x32 Planter Display ✔️
Autumn: Trial Sunflower Planting with a residents group using a prominent location - Athlumeny Hall Bank. ✔️
2018
Summer to Autumn: St Martha's Bridge x16 Planter Display. ✔️
Spring to Autumn: Summer Meadow, wildflower seeds, and climbers at Petrol Station Verge, North Metges Road. ✔️
6. Enhance Johnstown's Entry Points
2022 & 23
St Martha's Bridge:
Perennial flower display near 'Welcome to Johnstown' Sign.
Metges Road South
Perennial flower display near 'Welcome to Johnstown' Sign.
Metges Road North
Perennial flower display near 'Welcome to Johnstown' Sign.
Old Johnstown Village
Old Johnstown Village Community Group maintain the 'Welcome Signs'
L5050 Kentstown Road Junction
Devise a suitable display and maintenance program.
2021
St Martha's Bridge:
Installation of 30 flower baskets with bedding, fruit, and increased herb plants to line the railings during Summer and Autumn.✔️
Sunflowers planted near 'Welcome to Johnstown' Sign.✔️
Metges Road South
Sunflowers planted near 'Welcome to Johnstown' Sign.✔️
Metges Road North
Sunflowers planted near 'Welcome to Johnstown' Sign.✔️
Old Johnstown Village
Old Johnstown Village Community Group maintain the 'Welcome Signs'✔️
L5050 Kentstown Road Junction
No action taken
2020
Maintain a weed-free environment at each entry point without using chemicals.✔️
St Martha's Bridge:
Spring Bulbs planted near 'Welcome to Johnstown' Sign.✔️
Metges Road South
Spring Bulbs planted near 'Welcome to Johnstown' Sign.✔️
Metges Road North
Spring Bulbs planted near 'Welcome to Johnstown' Sign.✔️
Old Johnstown Village
Old Johnstown Village Community Group maintain the 'Welcome Signs'✔️
L5050 Kentstown Road Junction
No action taken
2019️
St Martha's Bridge:
Installation of 32 flower baskets with bedding, fruit, and herb plants to line the railings during Summer and Autumn.✔️
Metges Road North
Petrol Station Verge Project - 4 sunflowers planted as a trial.✔️
Metges Road South
Meath County Council maintain the corner display.✔️
Old Johnstown Village
Old Johnstown Village Community Group maintain the 'Welcome Signs'✔️
L5050 Kentstown Road Junction
No action taken
2018
St Martha's Bridge:
Installation of 16 flower baskets with bedding plants to line the railings during Summer and Autumn.✔️
Bridge rail cleaning ✔️
'Welcome to Johnstown' sign installed✔️
Metges Road South
Meath County Council maintains the corner display.✔️
'Welcome to Johnstown' sign installed✔️
Metges Road North
'Welcome to Johnstown' sign installed✔️
Petrol Station Verge Project - planted climbers and sowed wildflowers.✔️
Old Johnstown Village
Old Johnstown Village Community Group maintain the 'Welcome Signs'✔️
L5050 Kentstown Road Junction
No action taken