July Edition 2018
The Big Cut
The Big Cut
Having gone way beyond the capabilities of your average lawn cutting service the 'big guns' came out in mid June to tackle and level the Johnstown Wood 'forest' of grass and weeds. We hope that we'll never see so many bales of grass ever again in Johnstown.
It's now had 2 cuts and it's colour resembles a golden beach in these dry conditions. We covered the reasons why the grass had gotten out of control in last month's Residents v's Grass article. Johnstown Tidy Towns engaged in talks with the Council to ask for help on behalf of the concerned residents within the estate and the wider Johnstown Community.
It's now had 2 cuts and it's colour resembles a golden beach in these dry conditions. We covered the reasons why the grass had gotten out of control in last month's Residents v's Grass article. Johnstown Tidy Towns engaged in talks with the Council to ask for help on behalf of the concerned residents within the estate and the wider Johnstown Community.
Many assume that County Meath is like County Dublin where the grass is maintained in estates by the Council. Those who've moved here from the city not only enjoy the more 'countryside lifestyle' but have to bear the brunt of its costs too. The Council here, as in most parts of Ireland, don't cut lawns in Private Estates or those 'Taken In Charge'.
Many assume that County Meath is like County Dublin where the grass is maintained in estates by the Council. Those who've moved here from the city not only enjoy the more 'countryside lifestyle' but have to bear the brunt of its costs too. The Council here, as in most parts of Ireland, don't cut lawns in Private Estates or those 'Taken In Charge'.
Johnstown Tidy Towns were seeking financial support grants through the Council who are fully in support of the improvements. They have helped with installing the new welcome signs, planting and making the Ardboyne Bridge more appealing.
Johnstown Tidy Towns were seeking financial support grants through the Council who are fully in support of the improvements. They have helped with installing the new welcome signs, planting and making the Ardboyne Bridge more appealing.
Once appraised of the facts about the long grass and the difficulties the Residents faced they offered to help.
Once appraised of the facts about the long grass and the difficulties the Residents faced they offered to help.
Safety
Safety
This was becoming a worrying issue where younger school children were playing in the long grass near the roundabout and the roadside within the Estate. With the grass so high small children couldn't be clearly seen even by the parents minding them.
This was becoming a worrying issue where younger school children were playing in the long grass near the roundabout and the roadside within the Estate. With the grass so high small children couldn't be clearly seen even by the parents minding them.
The bigger concern was that so few households were responsible for so much grass maintenance it was not going to be resolved by itself and was only going to become much worse as time moved on. It was fortunate that without the rain the grass growth had slowed but immediate action was necessary.
The bigger concern was that so few households were responsible for so much grass maintenance it was not going to be resolved by itself and was only going to become much worse as time moved on. It was fortunate that without the rain the grass growth had slowed but immediate action was necessary.
To resolve this safety issue the Council could have simply cut a 2m strip around the perimeter to provide safe lines of sight for motorists. Whilst they were there it made sense to give the Residents a hand out and bring them back to a base level.
To resolve this safety issue the Council could have simply cut a 2m strip around the perimeter to provide safe lines of sight for motorists. Whilst they were there it made sense to give the Residents a hand out and bring them back to a base level.
The Residents have now formed a new Neighbourhood Group and have appointed coordinators to raise ongoing funds to cut the grass.
The Residents have now formed a new Neighbourhood Group and have appointed coordinators to raise ongoing funds to cut the grass.
In exchange for this one off support the Council have asked for assurances that safety along the roadside will be maintained from here onwards.
In exchange for this one off support the Council have asked for assurances that safety along the roadside will be maintained from here onwards.
It is however obvious that with only half the 40 households contributing they will never be able to afford to cut the entire lawn. This is unfortunate and those not contributing may find that the lawns around them are not going to be cut.
It is however obvious that with only half the 40 households contributing they will never be able to afford to cut the entire lawn. This is unfortunate and those not contributing may find that the lawns around them are not going to be cut.
It will be too late to change their minds in the coming months when the cost of the Big Cut will lay at their doorstep.
It will be too late to change their minds in the coming months when the cost of the Big Cut will lay at their doorstep.
Illustration below suggests more than 50% will be cut with the long grass being the darker green.
Illustration below suggests more than 50% will be cut with the long grass being the darker green.
In the coming weeks we all see what has to happen if residents don't all chip in. Some of the grass will grow long again but the weeds will be chopped as they appear whilst a tidy shaped edge might make the lawn into a pleasant feature. Perhaps one day it will look similar to Blackwater Park.
In the coming weeks we all see what has to happen if residents don't all chip in. Some of the grass will grow long again but the weeds will be chopped as they appear whilst a tidy shaped edge might make the lawn into a pleasant feature. Perhaps one day it will look similar to Blackwater Park.
The majority of the Blackwater Park grass has not been cut in 4 years and has become a wildlife habitat.
The majority of the Blackwater Park grass has not been cut in 4 years and has become a wildlife habitat.
Help came in the form of a local farmer who, with 3 tractors, cut and bailed 5 tons of grass cuttings for silage.
Help came in the form of a local farmer who, with 3 tractors, cut and bailed 5 tons of grass cuttings for silage.
Perhaps it's the last time we see these in Johnstown.
Perhaps it's the last time we see these in Johnstown.
Contact
Contact
Read Next in July Edition 2018
Read Next in July Edition 2018
