Ambitious €5m plans unveiled for Corkagh Park

PLANS for an “ambitious” €5m investment in Corkagh Park will include the construction of a new hub zone, featuring a café building, public toilets, and a multi-use events space with a stage and hard-standing area.

The hub zone forms part of the South Dublin County Council’s Part 8 report on proposed enhancements and upgrades to Corkagh Park, which was passed by members on Monday, and is a follow on from the masterplan proposals for the park in 2019/20.

Located on the site of the former pet farm, the council envisage that this multi-use space will be used on market days by vendors, and can be used throughout the year for various events including health activities and arts/theatre performances.

Meanwhile, space to the east of the new café will provide seating and room for users to enjoy throughout the year.

The plans will also see major upgrades to the carparks at St John’s and Green Isle, including 11 metre high arrival beacons and future-proofing for EV charging points.

St John’s will see resurfacing works and improved pedestrian links and footpaths, while the Green Isle/Outer Ring Road carpark is to be extended and the entrance widened.

Speaking at the meeting, South Dublin County Council Director of Environment, Water and Climate Change, Teresa Walsh, said it is an “ambitious and welcome proposal which will see the investment of €5m in Corkagh Park” and follows the masterplan, which set out a number of recommendations for the park.

Ms Walsh said 29 submissions were received as part of the public consultation process, many of which welcomed the council’s commitment to upgrading the park.

“A summary of the various issues raised include addition of sports amenities and facilities, the upgrade of existing facilities such as the fairy woodland, the addition of an events space, these can all be satisfactorily addressed at detailed design stage and operational management stage.”

A proposed section of footpath, adjacent and parallel to Cherrywood Crescent, is to be removed from the proposal following multiple objections over concerns it will increase drug dealing and anti-social behaviour to the area.

Questions were asked about the re-introduction of the pet farm, but Ms Walsh said that planners and designers found it was not viable for this development.

Other features planned are enhancements to the fairy woodland trail, new pedestrian links, removal and replacement of trees in poor health, along with planting and landscape associated works.

According to the council, the procurement of the operator of any of the hub facilities is an operational matter and will be subject to public tender.