Council disputes unfit claim by dog owners on Tymon Park playspace

By Mary Dennehy

SOUTH Dublin County Council has taken the lead in an ongoing debate over the suitability of the dog playspace in Tymon Park, which local people have claimed is constantly flooded and not fit for purpose – claims disputed this week by the local authority.

Concerns around the suitability of the dog playspace, which is located on the Limekiln side of the park, were raised in council chambers last Monday by Tallaght Central councillors Brendan Ferron (Sinn Féin) and Mick Duff (Labour).

Due to the “many complaints of flooding” received, Cllr Ferron requested that council management compile a report on the dog park with details of remedial works that would allow for the space to be used all year round.

Cllr Duff also raised the issue of flooding and a request from the dog owners group that uses Tymon Park to relocate the dog playspace from the flood-prone site in Limekiln to a more suitable site on the Tallaght-side of the park.

Cllr Duff told The Echo: “The council has said that when it visited the site it was fit for purpose and that it was being used.
“However, the photographs I presented to the council of the flooded area tell their own tale.

“Dog owners have said that everytime they go over to the dog park it is not fit for purpose, and the dogs are running around in a rice paddy.”

He added: “There are much better examples of dog parks around and this site will always be prone to flooding – it’s at the end of a slope.”

However, in its response, the council said: “The dog run at Tymon Park was inspected in recent days and found to be in use at the time.

“The ground is not considered to be prone to flooding, the ground was damp and muddy in places due to regular use, however, it is very much suitable for exercising dogs.

“Two problems were noted during the inspection, the inner entrance gate is in need of repair and a small amount of water ponding is occurring at the same location. Action will be taken to address both these matters.”

The council added: “It is proposed that the dog run at Limekiln Road will remain where it is and will not be relocated as suggested.

“A commitment was given previously to consider the provision of a second run in a different location in Tymon Park.

“This matter will be examined and if a suitable site is identified a scheme will be considered for inclusion in the improvement works programme for 2018.”