WELCOME TO the
The Stephenstown Pond Project is a Community led, not-for-profit initiative. All monies raised are reinvested back into the project to continuously maintain and develop the facility.
Parking Facilities
There is a €2 Exit Charge for Parking onsite. This money is used to defray the costs of upkeep of the Car park, Insurance & General Overheads of the Facility. There are approximately 65 Car parking spaces available including accessible parking spaces.
Playground Facilities
The Playground is designed for children under 12 years. Children must be supervised by a Parent/Guardian/Responsible Adult at all times. Please follow the directions of the information signs around the playground to ensure everyone’s safe enjoyment. All equipment and surfacing is EN1176 and EN1177 Certified. Please play safely, enjoy the facility and please don’t abuse it.
Bathroom Facilities
There are 3 Outside Bathrooms facilities – Accessible/Changing facility, Ladies & Gents.
Feeding the Wildlife
Moderation
Just like us, birds need a varied diet to stay healthy. The Wild birds around the pond typically forage for food daily. Although ducks and swans can digest all types of bread, too much can leave them feeling full without giving them all of the important vitamins, minerals and nutrients they need. ideally people should also feed the wild birds – sweetcorn, porridge oats, peas and bird seed & chopped/ripped up green vegetables.
Moderation is especially important in the spring and summer when an unbalanced diet can cause developmental problems for growing young birds. But moderation is hard to judge when other well-meaning people may also be feeding bread to the same birds at other times.
Loss of Natural Behavior
When birds become accustomed to handouts, they lose their natural fear of humans and may become aggressive in order to get more food. Their loss of fear can also cause other dangers, such as a willingness to cross busy roads in order to reach other likely sources of food.
Sources: Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) / Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust
Best Time to Feed
Winter is the best time to feed water birds, when natural vegetation is in short supply. Additional food is less vital in spring and summer, when young birds need to learn to forage for plants and insects, for a balanced diet and good physical development.
Photography / Videos
With the abundance of wildlife around the pond providing opportunity for amazing photos/videos please bear in mind that the wildlife are in their natural habitat and often with their young.
Please keep your distance if trying to capture photo/video as they will attack if they feel that they/their babies are threatened by your presence.
Location Information
Located along the L3167 – Eircode A91 DR0A.
The Pond is located approx. 2km from Knockbridge Village.
Pet Information
Pet’s are welcome at the pond but with the Wildlife and other Visitors to the pond must be kept on a leash at all times for everyone’s safe enjoyment.
Please ensure that you clean up after your Pet if they take a bathroom break also.
Cycling
As there is wildlife roaming around the park in search of nesting and food as well as many other pedestrian visitors, in the interests of everyone’s safety, cycling around the park and pond is prohibited.
Opening Hours
Pond & Nature Walk
Winter Months: 8am to 4:30pm
Summer Months: 8am to 8pm
C&A Coffee Dock
Seasonal opening Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday – 11am to 5pm (Closed Mondays)
Winter months: 11:00am to 5:00pm Saturday and Sunday, also bank holidays
Littering Information
A number of waste bins are provided around the facility however if the bins are full please report to a member of staff and please take your rubbish home for disposal. Littering is an Offence and anyone caught littering will be reported to the Litter Warden for enforcement.
