Killinarden Park project aims to create a safe place
By Máire Ní Dhuinneacha
THE concept design for the proposed €2m Killinarden Park masterplan is complete, following more than 1,200 responses from members of the local community.
Last year, South Dublin County Council embarked on a local consultation process to help shape how the park and its green infrastructure corridor would be developed.
Plans have been unveiled for a €2 million project at Killinarden Park this week
The process included interviews with 28 community leaders, written submissions, an online survey seeking local opinions, which received 1,269 responses, and a walkability audit with gardai.
A vibrant community built by residents, Killinarden boasts pro-active schools, youth services, clubs, community centre and many volunteer-led supports.
However, Killinarden Park has been plagued by anti-social behaviour over the years, with a small minority wreaking havoc in the public green spaces and on the pitches of Croi Ro Naofa – where 83 cars have been burnt out since 2018.
Following huge community engagement with the plans for Killinarden Park, the design vision was to ‘create an inviting, safe and engaging space for the community while ensuring that it connects to the wider open space network of the county’.
Artist impress of the new design plan
The top priority themes that informed the design were, safe play and recreation spaces, individual exercise and team sports, nature and biodiversity, community growing and planting, spaces to socialise for adults and teenagers and education and event spaces.
According to the council: “The input of local councillors, community activists and the very many residents who submitted their views has been invaluable in developing the concept now going forward for planning.”
The concept design incorporates the introduction of diverse habitat types, including a community orchard, enhanced park entrances, upgraded boundary walls and railings, a lit strategic walk/cycle park along the Whitestown Stream, which will have two new bridges stretching over it.
It’s proposed that a primary oval footpath will connect park facilities, which can double up as an exercise circuit of around 1km, with plans also including linear play trails, two natural play areas, seating, multi-games use area with a skate ramp and social space.
The concept also considers wider plans identified in the Tallaght Town Centre Local Area Plan to provide a new green infrastructure and amenity corridor along the Whitestown Stream that will connect Killinarden Park with Sean Walsh Park.
The design was discussed at Monday’s online meeting of South Dublin County Council, with the masterplan due to go to public consultation by next month.
While investment in Killinarden Park has been widely welcomed, security within the park and issues around anti-social behaviour remain on the agenda.
Tallaght South councillor Louise Dunne (Sinn Fein) was at the meeting and told The Echo: “I think it’s a fantastic masterplan…we’ve been calling for this for years.
“As I said at Monday’s meeting alongside other councillors, there’s only one or two per cent causing the anti-social behaviour in the park but it’s having a huge effect.
“The park has to be given back to the community.”
Cllr Dunne said she still has concerns for the GAA pitches, which are located at the centre of the oval-design.
“I think closing off some of the access points will alleviate some of the issues”, she said.
“However, I think the pitches are still very open.
“I don’t think there’s any other club in the country that has had to deal with 83 cars burnt out on its pitches since 2018.”
Overall, Cllr Dunne sees the plan “as a positive”, and believes that the level of community participation is a reflection of how much people want to engage and create a park for everyone.
Members of the public have been encouraged to provide feedback on the plan when it goes to public consultation in the coming weeks.
The council hopes to commence construction of the new park by the end of 2021.
For further details visit SDCC.
Read more: Businesses raise concerns over the €2m park project.
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