Killinarden Park upgrade work to commence this year

CONSTRUCTION work on the proposed upgrade to Killinarden Park – including the installation of a ‘natural boundary’ around GAA pitches that have been repeatedly vandalised – is expected to commence later this year.

According to a South Dublin County Council spokesperson, the park upgrade plans are currently at the detailed design stage with the expectation that the construction tender will be issued in the second half of this year.

Part of the upgrade works include the placement of a natural boundary around sports pitches that are used by Croí Ró Naofa GAA Club, that have been repeatedly vandalised over recent years.

As reported in The Echo last week, the pitches were left unplayable after scrambler bikers breached the park’s boundary and left muddy tyre marks embedded across the pitches.

According to a spokesperson from the club, this was the third such incident of this nature so far this year.

When asked last week about repair works to the pitches, a council spokesperson told The Echo: “An inspection of the pitches was carried out last week and again [yesterday], March 1.

“As a result of the inspection, it has been reported that the damage caused is superficial, and it does not require repair at this time.

“The pitches are extremely wet at the moment. Once they have dried out and the grass is cut, this will encourage growth and repair of the damage caused.”

In relation to the plans for a natural boundary around the pitches, which form part of the Killinarden Park upgrade proposal, the spokesperson outlined the aforementioned dates for the expected commencement of the works in the park.

The council spokesperson added that the local authority will “continue to work with An Garda Síochána on the issues around scramblers”.