We invite our community to be part of a collaborative, forward-thinking project that will leave a meaningful and lasting legacy. Help us reimagine Johnstown's estate lawns as a series of neighbourhood Biodiversity Parks.
Communities across the country are struggling to raise funds for cutting their estate lawns. Fewer households are contributing, and it’s therefore simply not sustainable.
This project offers a smarter, greener alternative — one that benefits everyone.
Instead of pouring time and money into maintaining costly, underused estate lawns, we propose gradually removing the grass and transforming these spaces.
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We aim to create natural areas that not only look beautiful but will also support pollinators, capture carbon, and bring nature closer to home. We also aim to deliver significant long-term cost savings to residents.
This is a long-term win–win for both people and planet:
✔ Healthier ecosystems
✔ Stronger community connections
✔ Opportunities for learning and engagement
✔ A lighter maintenance burden in years to come
✔ A thriving legacy for future generations
Grass lawns are monocrops whose negatives now outweigh the positives. Mother Nature would cover the land with a forest ecosystem, but we want to live in that space. By linking several biodiversity-focused themed areas, we will provide alternative, low-maintenance ground cover and remove up to 90% of grass lawns.
Several ‘Biodiversity Areas’ linked by twisting short-cut grass path, a perimeter hedge along the roadside, and long grass summer meadows will fill the gaps unless residents want to maintain play areas and a short-cut grass perimeter.
Perhaps a mix or perhaps a planting theme.
Different native wildflower seed combinations will produce seasonal effects.
Appearing early spring and often very short lived these crocus add sudden vibrance to a blank grass lawn and are welcomed by the emerging bees.
Red and White clover smothers grass and flowers April to September, attracting pollinators, especially Common Carder Bee. Red-tailed Bumblebee, White-tailed Bumblebee.
White clover mixes and competes with creeping yellow buttercups, flowering from May to September.
Drought-tolerant Lavender is expensive to purchase as a small plant, and perhaps the schools can help crop production via Autumn cuttings and potting on. Flowering May to September but deadheading and cutting back is required.
Clover fixes nitrogen into the soil for companion planting with the fruiting orchard. The fruits will provide for wildlife above and below the soil when they fall into the clover.
Any native irish seeds sown from seed will ideally match those found locally and not come from seed packets, even Irish ones! The clay soil is very fertile and now riddled with weed and grass seeds.
Chives may require watering in dry spells, but can flower twice between late May to late August, attracting bees and the small tortoiseshell butterfly. They are easy to propagate by dividing and replanting each season, alternatively, each produces thousands of seeds.
Different native wildflowers to Co Meath will have different effects like this group.
Mini forests will appear in concentrated dense pockets with summer grass meadows growing wherever residents don't mow play areas.
Twisting grass paths will flow through the summer meadows and connect the areas.
Perimeter fruiting native hedgerow will not only block out the sight and sounds of the ever increasing Metges Rd road traffic but it will create a living corridor for wildlife and form a harder edge to the park.
If residents wish to retain an affordable amount of lawn that they will manage and cut for play or soccer then perhaps they might also take on a grass path maze. The grass cuttings can supply the on-site compost bin.
Densely planted tree pockets grow remarkably quickly with little effort or maintenance requirements. After three years, they become self-sustaining & cost-free. We intend to plant in areas the size of tennis courts, but they could be the ideal ground cover for an entire lawn.
Use of native Irish trees, fruits, and shrubs, chosen for biodiversity value and selected to suit various design themes will boost biodiversity, create wildlife habitats and corridors, absorb carbon and freshen the air with oxygen, manage the groundwater, bind the soil, improve rainwater drainage, provide cooling summer shade and soil warming winter leaf mould, provide privacy and screening from the wind & traffic noise, reduce residents' lawn maintenance costs, and add aesthetic and recreational value to Johnstown.
Read our section about Mini Forests, which then developed into the idea for a park.
The Urban Orchard is not a new idea; we already have 3 Johnstown sites. Unlike the mini forests, these trees are planted 2m apart and will be pruned to keep the fruit trees small and all within arm's reach. A resident group could manage the Cherry, Damson, and Apple trees.
Wild Strawberry plants are great for pollinators, and some birds love the fruit. The plants can compete with grass and weeds to provide an edible ground cover.
The roadside hedgerow could contain fruiting bushes such as:
Fruit: Red haws (edible if cooked, great for jellies and wines).
Wildlife value: Nectar for pollinators in May; fruit for birds in autumn.
Notes: Hardy, tolerates most soils, a traditional Irish hedgerow plant.
Fruit: Sloes (used for gin or jams).
Wildlife value: Dense cover for nesting birds; early nectar in March.
Notes: Very thorny; great for stock-proof boundaries.
Fruit: Black elderberries (for syrups, wine, cordials).
Wildlife value: Flowers for insects; berries for birds.
Notes: Fast-growing, thrives in sun or partial shade.
Fruit: Clusters of bright red berries (ornamental, mildly toxic raw).
Wildlife value: Flowers attract pollinators; berries feed thrushes and finches.
Notes: Prefers damp, fertile soil—good in wetter hedgerow spots.
Fruit: Sweet raspberries in summer.
Wildlife value: Flowers for bees; fruit for people and wildlife.
Notes: Spreads easily; prune to control.
We've experimented with allowing grass to grow longer and continue to host 3 sites in Johnstown with varying developing success. It is slow for native wildflowers to naturally return. The fertile clay soil and vigorous grass growth doesn't help matters.
The one annual cut will be undertaken by our volunteers with MCC assistance to dispose of the grass cuttings. This is dependent on sourcing additional grants to either purchase a power sythe €1500, hire suitable machines, or employ a landscape contractor.
Mixed native species trees and fruiting bushes will form a hedgerow boundary with main roads. This will change through the seasons, offering color and vibrance whilst providing food safety and shelter to pollinators, wildlife, and birds.
We have begun recording our existing hedgerows, and connecting them up in corridors will greatly benefit biodiversity.
Bee posts, log piles, and bird boxes are being considered, and advice is being sought on placement and construction.
There are so many possibilities of hosting different themed areas that might include:
1. Wood Anemone (Anemone nemorosa)
A delicate, nodding white flower carpeting woodlands and shaded paths during springtime.Let's Go Ireland
2. Lesser Celandine (Ficaria verna)
Early spring brings bright yellow blooms in riversides, hedgerows, and damp areas.Let's Go Ireland
3. Primrose (Primula vulgaris)
Creamy yellow (sometimes white or pink) flowers appear from March, especially in sheltered, slightly acidic soils.Let's Go Ireland
4. Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta)
Iconic violet-blue carpets in woodlands during April–May.HowtoGarden.ieIreland's Wildlife
5. Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
Tall spikes of bell-shaped purple flowers in woodland clearings and roadsides from June to August.Wilderness IrelandIreland's Wildlife
6. Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria)
Clusters of creamy-white, fragrant flowers appearing from July in damp meadows and along streams.Wilderness Ireland
7. Spotted Orchid (Dactylorhiza maculata and other species)
Intricate pink-speckled blossoms often found in acidic grasslands—though more plentiful in regions like the Burren, you may spot them in boggy or unimproved meadows in Meath too.HowtoGarden.ie
8. Sea Aster (Tripolium pannonicum)
Mauve-ish flowers typically along saltmarsh coasts—but still a wonderful example of a native wildflower within Ireland’s broader flora.irishwildflowers.ieEthereal
9. Buttercups (Ranunculus spp.)
Multiple native species—including meadow and creeping buttercups—brighten fields and roadside verges with their golden blooms.A-Z AnimalsEthereal
10. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
Ubiquitous across meadows, gardens, and roadsides—tough, cheerful, and essential for early pollinators.Ireland's Wildlife
11. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Clusters of white, flat-topped blooms from summer into autumn, often in grassy areas, roadsides, and waste ground.Old Moore's Almanac
12. Dog Rose (Rosa canina)
Fragrant pink or white wild rose in hedgerows and rural edges from June to August, later followed by red hips.Old Moore's Almanac
Devil’s-bit Scabious (Succisa pratensis): Striking purple, globe-shaped blooms from summer into autumn in boggy meadows.HowtoGarden.ie
Irish Saxifrage (Saxifraga spp.): Hardy, crevice-loving plants with delicate white flowers—perfect for rocky or cliff-like habitats.HowtoGarden.ie
Bog-rosemary (Andromeda polifolia): Low-growing pink wildflowers found in damp, peaty soils—occasionally in Meath's boggy areas.Ireland Travel Guides
Cuckoo Flower (Cardamine pratensis): Pale violet-pink blooms appearing spring in damp meadows and streambanks.Wikipedia
Pollinator and Biodiversity habitat demonstration beds such as: a clover lawn, herb garden, heathers, crocus, lavender, creeping thyme, bugle, wild strawberry, and alpine creepers etc.
It makes financial and practical sense to plant once and reap the rewards, provided the plants are low-maintenance and robust enough to survive public exposure.
Outdoor classroom space, log piles and natural seats, information signage throughout via QR codes, and opportunities for Citizen Science monitoring.
This project will require substantial landscaping materials, and Johnstown can contribute its share through reuse and upcycling.
Cardboard, which will act as a weed suppressant, can be sourced from residents who shop online or from a local white goods distributor. A storage space will be needed for this.
Autumn leaves, which would normally go in brown recycling bins, could instead be collected to create leaf mould for mulch. We already have 100m³ stored across our three trial sites, and we will need many more.
Any shortcut grass areas maintained by residents within the project could collect grass clippings and mix them with brown material on-site to produce compost.
Rainwater harvesting may also be possible on-site, particularly if irrigation is needed to help establish new plants.
Repurposed community materials could be used to build required structures such as compost bins, fences, bird boxes, bug hotels, and bee posts, using untreated wood.
And of course, we’ll need plants — lots of them! Local schools could play a key role by sowing seeds, propagating cuttings, and dividing and growing additional plants and trees, helping to cut both financial costs and the environmental impact from transport and packaging.
This park will showcase alternative low-cost solutions that we can then replicate elsewhere. With 276,000 sqm of grass lawn within Johnstown, many have the potential to become vibrant lawn, meadow, and tree canopy habitats.
We are enthusiastic volunteers, and we value the input of the experts.
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We have liaised with the MCC Biodiversity Officer and will be engaging with the Climate Action team.
We are exploring a partnership with Stepping Stones Forests, who offer guidance and support with proven models for creating compact, high-impact native woodland spaces in urban and suburban areas.
Wild About Navan is providing knowledge support and connections.
We will seek support from Birdwatch Ireland Meath to help design the spaces and gain maximum leverage to benefit local species.
An ecologist will be appointed to ensure we select the appropriate species and best practices.
Making changes isn't free, but there are many grants available, together with ways to make things happen for less.
The cost to residents of continuing with the current management is considerably higher than making a change.
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A 200 sqm mini forest costs around €2,500, and many lawns are quite spacious — for example, converting the largest in Johnstown Wood Elm and Chestnut would cost about €150,000 for a complete mini forest. However, the goal isn’t to turn every inch of lawn into woodland. By combining different types of areas and encouraging plenty of community-led projects, the changes can be made affordable, especially when paired with annual grants.
€2,500 Mini Forest
€4,000 Biodiversity Planting
€160 Biodiversity Seedmix
logs
Bird Box
Bee Post
Bug Hotel
Meadow Annual cut
Path fortnightly grass cut
Signage at each
Main Signage
A hedgerow can require 5 trees/shrubs per linear metre and 600 (the equivalent for a mini forest) would stretch 120m for approx €2,500
Using this approach, a site such as Chestnut and Elm is around €70,000, and is still a substantial amount.
If communities can redirect some of their 1000s of euros, currently used on annual grass cutting, we can move quickly to improve their areas.
Seek local businesses and corporate sponsorship.
Community fundraising via schools and local volunteers to encourage ownership and interest.
Seek funding through any Meath County Council environmental, Biodiversity Action, Climate Action, and Community Development grants.
Apply for the 2nd round of the Community Foundation Ireland Action Community Biodiversity Action Plan Fund
There are no foreseeable specific Council permissions required, provided no permanent structures are erected.
We will seek resident consent and avoid interference with any services, signage, lighting, or other infrastructure.
The proposal does not require significant skills or manpower, and will be managed by volunteers from within the community. The aim is not to produce long-term maintenance work.
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We will form an action group and seek to include residents of Johnstown, volunteers from local businesses, the IDA Offices, Coláiste na Mí Secondary School, St. Stephen's National School, St. Mary's Special Needs School, and TUS volunteers.
Work Involves:
Ground preparation involves cutting and clearing the grass to the lowest possible level, covering with large sheets of cardboard and 4 inches of woodchip mulch. Planting 600 bare-rooted tree saplings 6 months later requires several volunteers with shovels, and the more volunteers, the quicker the job.
Similar to the Miniforest sites
Ground preparation involves cutting and clearing the grass to the lowest possible level, temporarily covering it with large sheets of cardboard for 6 weeks to kill off grass and weeds. Raking, tilling the soil, and finally sowing seeds preferably in Autumn or in Spring.
We aim to utilise the river water and have access to large portable water tanks and water pumps. The seeded and planted sites will initially require watering.
Play areas and lawns will be maintained by the estate residents.
Our volunteers will cut the remaining grass or arrange for it to be done.
Summer Meadow - annually by contractor
Estate and Planting Zone Perimeter - every 6 weeks
Grass Path - every 2 weeks
We are included in MCC’s insurance for Tidy Towns groups.
We will seek clarification for school and TY group insurance during planting events.
We welcome any guidance or preferred sources and as we discover options we'll update the listing.
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www.reforestnation.ie offers 1000+ native trees.
www.treesforcommunities.ie offers 50 free tree mixes of Native Irish Alder, Oak, Birch, and Hazel.
www.freetrees.ie offers free native tree mixes from potentially 26 species to individuals.
Meath County Council annually offers groups 50 tree mixes of Alder, Holly, Geulder Rose, Silver Birch, and Mountain Ash.
Local horse stables could provide manure.
Meath Council Council could source mulch wood chippings
Local tree surgeons could provide wood chippings
Smith's SuperValu could provide cardboard.
The community schools could collect cardboard.
Navan's 'white goods' vendors could supply cardboard.
We have our eyes set on the extensive 12k sqm Chestnut and Elm Johnstown lawn area just off North Metges Road, a site with great potential for ecological restoration and community engagement.
The nearby estates of Bailis Downs, Maple, and Beech Estates could all connect to form a significant biodiversity park and be a feature for Johnstown.
Our estate lawns come in many sizes, and each faces dwindling support for grass cutting. Every lawn could benefit the environment by simply hosting less grass.
Estate lawns mapped in 2022.
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