Plans to turn vacant land into pocket park
By Mary Dennehy
PROPOSALS have been put forward by the community for a pocket park on vacant land behind Kilmartin Avenue, a site currently used as an illegal dumping ground.
A number of residents, supported by Solidarity councillor Brian Leech, have proposed that the waste ground, which is owned by South Dublin County Council, is developed into a pocket park for the surrounding community.
Councillor Brian Leech at the site behind Kilmartin Avenue
According to Cllr Leech, the pocket park would also provide a community space for the families moving into a new estate across the road called Sheehy Skeffington, which made up of 80 rapid-build houses is due to be complete by summer.
“This land has not been touched in near 30 years,” Brian said.
“It’s just been left there and has turned into a dumping ground, and gives a terrible view of the area.
“There’s never been any discussion around building or developing the site, not to my knowledge, and I think a little pocket park with trees, shrubs and benches would be easily done… and we’re not talking mega bucks to do it.”
The Echo understands that members of South Dublin County Council met with residents and Cllr Leech at the site last week to listen to the suggestions of locals.
“The development of that site for the community is on the council agenda and we are forming a deputation between council management and residents for May,” Cllr Leech said.
“The development of the pocket park could also coincide with the development of Sheehy Skeffington.
“The park is not wide, it’s long so a nice linear park could be developed for families to use.
Stop people dumping
“I can’t see anything else being done with that land, and it would also stop people dumping.”
The Echo contacted South Dublin County Council however, a spokesperson for the environment department said that it was too early at this point to comment.
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