A new 127-acre public forest park, including specially created walkways and a lakeside picnic area, was officially opened at the Oak Park estate in Carlow yesterday.
The State agriculture and food development authority Teagasc, which owns the 800-acre complex, has leased the land to Carlow county and town councils in a development which cost close to €400,000.
Commenting on the joint initiative between the councils and his organisation, Jim Flanagan, director of Teagasc, said it was a "great example of how things can get done when there is vision and leadership to do so".
"The entire Oak Park complex is set on 800 acres, including forestry and lake," he said.
"It would be impossible to recreate such a fine facility from scratch."
Carlow County Council chairman Michael Meaney yesterday welcomed the decision by Teagasc to lease what is valuable woodland for community use.
"It is a treasure island of great beauty. The forest park will be of huge benefit to the people of Carlow and the surrounding counties."
Carlow Town Council chairman Michael Abbey added that the walkway access would be of particular benefit to the disabled and to families with prams.
Informal leisure areas, picnic sites, and viewing facilities of the woods, lakes and islands contained in the park are also included in the development.
Colour-coded woodland walkways have been constructed, along with spaces for 100 cars. Walkways are also wheelchair accessible.
A wildlife sanctuary created by Teagasc at the Oak Park lands more than 40 years ago is also being maintained.
Oak Park is a mature mixed species woodland with an extensive range of ferns, mosses and woodland flora. It also has a predominance of beech, ash, Scots pine and larch trees.
Its lakes provide a habitat for swans and ducks, while its islands shelter a significant number of wild and game birds.
The park's woodland walks, extending over 4km, include Butlers Wood Loop (700m), Lake Path (800m), Fox Covert Track (1100m) and Sally Island Trail (1700m).
Teagasc relocated its corporate head office to Oak Park House two years ago and currently operates its crops research centre there.