But sadly over time City Hall seemed to lose interest in the partnership ethos of the park's unique Steering Committee. The gaps between meetings grow longer and longer as the weeks became months even years with the result that the talents and vitality of a once energetic membership were lost. The few public events that did take place since 2005 did so with insufficient publicity and therefore community participation. Inevitably the park lost much of its popular support. Concerned councillors seemed powerless to stop the rot.

The young woodlands, like green spaces everywhere across the city, are now being invaded by a dangerous invasive species as bush drinkers cover the forest floor with a layer of cans, bottles and takeaway foods, killing off wildlife and turning ordinary folk away from enjoying the delights of our natural environment (Check out www.greenwatchgalway.blogspot.com). The absence of anti-vermin litterbins and a park ranger force is contributing to this malaise. But other positive measures can still help remedy this situation. Hence I have written to the Minister of the Environment calling for the introduction of a national refundable levy on all cans and bottles in order to help end the destruction of our nation's famed sea and landscapes.

But our Mayor and his fellow councillors should ensure that the forest and its natural riverine and country hinterland are saved for future generations by throwing out the proposal to build a road through the park whose construction will not contribute to providing a sustainable city-wide transport infrastructure. They must not betray the trust of the thousands of Galwegians that planted trees and bulbs in the grounds of a parkland that we were promised would be sacrosanct.

However the ordinary people of Galway must once again become the 'Guardians of the Forest' and demand that the park's unique identity be maintained and its partnership structures and community/schools programmes resurrected.

Hence there is a public meeting next Wednesday 7 November at 8.30pm in the Menlo Park Hotel to organise a campaign to safeguard the forest's future.

Yours sincerely,
Brendan Smith,
38 Sandyvale Lawn,
Galway City

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