A NEW chapter for Ennis’ Riverside estate is proving to be a real hit with local children. Ennis Tidy Towns in collaboration with residents of Riverside and Ennis Mens’ Shed recently established a Junior Tidy Towns Garden and Sharing Library in the locality.

The project was initiated by Ennis Tidy Towns volunteer Shayla Hilpert who explained, “I had two main inspirations for this project. Two years ago on a drive I noticed another town had a sign in a garden area saying “Jr Tidy Towns Garden” so I asked our then chairperson, Cormac, if Ennis had a Jr Garden which we didn’t. He was quick to offer the opportunity to start one and although I wasn’t looking to add a project to my responsibilities, I still thought it was a nice concept.

“Then after some time of noticing school children walking to and from school, some all the way from Ennis NS to St Flannan’s area or even around to the Hawthorns, it occurred to me that a friendly pit stop would be nice for them. My ideas mind put it together and out came the Jr Tidy Towns Garden and Sharing Library. A place for children to take ownership and pride of a collaborated shared space and even meet up or just rest on their walk home from school and check out a new book. Sometimes getting to the main library isn’t a possibility as often as children would like so here’s a library coming to them in a way.”

Shayla found a metal locker second-hand to make the library, but she realised it would need more protection from the elements so she got in touch with the local Mens’ Shed group for help.

“It was fun to meet with them and discuss some creative options in making a roof and then they enhanced the whole project by securing it to a lovely custom made two-sided bench. The design makes it whimsical and fun for children I think and serves to keep the library on a solid foundation. I painted their logo onto the side of the library to acknowledge their participation in the project,” continued Shayla.

She expressed appreciation to Hilltop Development Co for helping establish a suitable location for the garden.

“For our first week of work we got most of the space cleared of grass and some rocks. The second week we put edging down, a layer of cardboard as weed barrier and then a boatload of mulch before placing the bench. The third week was a very wet day so we met at my house to paint some bricks to look like books to reinforce the theme of the garden and many little rocks to look like bugs and flowers as decoration.

“The fourth week we secured the library back on the bench, placed the painted rocks, planted the plants, and filled the library with our stash of children’s books. We had a different grouping of helpers each week and the children were actively involved in each process with the supervision and helping hands of their parents.”

Among the youngsters who have been enjoying the new library is six year old Jake who said, “I enjoyed playing with my friends in nature and finding worms when we were digging the garden. My favourite part of the garden is leaving a book and then taking a new one, I’m going to come back every week to swap books until I’ve read them all!”

While eight year old Rian said, “I was out for a walk with my mammy and we saw the community garden. We saw the box with books for all ages. I took The World’s Worst Teachers and it’s really good. I went back with the magic finger. It’s a really good idea. Thank you Ennis Tidy Towns”.

Councillor Mary Howard who is the Chairperson of Ennis Tidy Towns fully supports this project saying, “There is nothing like the magic of opening a book and 

anticipating what adventure you are going to be taken on. I grew up with a deep love of books and reading and consequently I love seeing children and young people reading.

“We in Ennis Tidy Towns are rolling out little free libraries around Ennis, we supply the little library and books to get it started and then expect the local community / residents association to take over the stocking of the libraries, let me know if your local area or housing estate would be a suitable location”

“I have seen these little neighbourhood libraries all over the world and wanted to introduce the concept to Ennis, Shayla along with her family and friends took complete ownership of this project and we congratulate them on a job well done.”