If it was Malahide or Terenure the park wouldn’t be like this

THE condition of the car park at Kiltipper Park and the park itself is “a disgrace”, according to a woman who lives adjacent to the park and is frustrated at the lack of work on it.

Hazel McGrath contacted The Echo this week to voice her concerns, and to call for the car park to be tarmacked, and for bins and benches to be installed in the park.

“It’s such a fabulous amenity on our doorstep, but the council haven’t done anything,” said Ms McGrath.

“Before, they said there was Covid so they couldn’t do anything, then we were told everything went out to tender for signage and benches.

“They keep fobbing us off with a load of nonsense.

“The car park is a disgrace – it’s just muck. People can’t get out of their cars with children.

“The council have put some plastic down, but you can’t get out of the car without being stuck in muck.

Bollards on the path

“It’s been happening for over three years now and the park hasn’t even been officially opened – it’s a disgrace.”

Development of the lands in Kiltipper into an ecological parkland commenced in 2019, with €500,000 allocated in the capital budget to deliver phase two of the Part 8-approved plan.

As reported in The Echo last August, the next phase of the development was to consist of sports pitches, a playspace, a woodland and wetland, park furniture and a car park extension.

However, Ms McGrath said this work still has yet to be carried out, and it’s causing frustration for people in the area.

“I feel that this is a fabulous amenity for the people of Tallaght, but it’s just been left there,” she said.

“If it was Malahide or Terenure, it wouldn’t be like this.”

She added: “I want to see the car park made so you can drive into it, get out and not be up to your ankles in muck.

“There should be a playground, benches to sit on, they should cut back the brambles and do a general tidy-up of the park and put bins in the park, and put up proper signage.”

A spokesperson for South Dublin County Council told The Echo they are focused on protecting biodiversity in the park, and noted that they are aware of issues with the car park surface.

“Kiltipper Park is SDCC’s rural park on the edge of the Dublin Mountains,” stated the council spokesperson.

“It is located alongside the Dodder River and is part of a major Green Infrastructure and ecological corridor.

“The management of this park is focused on protecting biodiversity; in particular the presence of ground nesting birds.

“Several interesting flora species can be seen at Kiltipper, supported by the environment of the park.

“The continued provision of meadowland in this park in recent years (as part of SDCC’s Pollinator Plan), is enhancing the flora of the park.

“Regular park maintenance is carried out in relation to grass cutting, litter picking etc.

“As part of the first stage of works SDCC installed a permeable surface car park at Kiltipper, and are aware that issues have arisen with same.

“We are currently engaging with designers, contractors and suppliers to establish the reason for these issues and will rectify as soon as possible.

“In the interim a temporary solution will be installed for car parking at Kiltipper Park.

“There are also advanced plans underway to develop further facilities within the park, which includes bins, benches, sports pitches and playgrounds.

“These proposals are phased to match the funding available and the next phase will be tendered within the coming weeks.”