Tralee Valley Wetland Park

WWT Consulting worked with Tralee Town Council in 2008 to develop a concept plan for the development of a nature park near Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland. The scheme included improvement in the quality and diversity of habitats for wildlife and opportunities for people to enjoy the environment through the provision of paths, bird hides, an observation tower and a guided boat safari.

WWT Consulting was subsequently contracted to design the habitat for the nature area of the Tralee Valley Wetland Park, which will now also incorporate an activity zone, including a boating lake and fishing lake. To do this, we first conducted ecological surveys of the habitats, breeding birds and invertebrates present on the site.  A survey of waterbirds in the vicinity was also carried out to gauge what species might use the site after the proposed habitat developments.

Detailed designs were then produced, including planting plans and a hydrological assessment to determine how water levels and flow would be regulated, as the site is adjacent to the River Lee estuary and some parts will be tidally influenced. The design allows visitors to experience some of the interesting wetland habitats and species that are found in the wider River Lee Valley, via a series of paths and boardwalks to viewing hides, a guided boat safari and a pond dipping activity area.

Following supervision of the ground works to create the habitats designed, we are now advising on planting to establish the vegetation before the park opens to the public. The council has also asked us to develop an interpretation plan to illustrate what stories could be told at the park and what the visitor experience might be like.