Who is protecting parklands for visitors and wildlife?
By Mary Dennehy
SEPARATE calls have been made for an enhanced council presence in local parks, with many believing that Park Rangers play a vital role in protecting parklands for both visitors and wildlife alike.
Last weekend, three local volunteers descended on Dodder Valley Park, and filled 14 large bags with rubbish from along a 200-metre stretch of the river and its banks.
At the Dodder Valley Park clean-up were Cara, Nina and Wladek
Among the rubbish collected was the remnants of group gatherings with broken glass, cans, plastic containers and wrappers among the items fished from the water and its banks.
A green bin was also found burnt out.
According to Firhouse resident and Dodder Action volunteer Wladek Gaj, people have been gathering along the secluded, sandy banks of the Dodder as it flows through Old Bawn for years.
However, lockdown has resulted in an escalation of the issue.
While Wladek noted the many bio-diverse parklands managed by South Dublin County Council, he asked who is protecting these amenities for both visitors and wildlife?
“I don’t think the council is protecting the parks enough”, Wladek said.
“They seem to have money to do the big, large capital projects but not for staffing.
“The ecology living along the Dodder is amazing, deer have been spotted walking down the river, there’s otter… the place is fabulous.
“It has to be protected from rubbish and anti-social behaviour, bottles being smashed against rocks and the burning of wheelie bins.
“It’s important for people using the park and for wildlife.”
After their clean-up last Saturday, volunteers asked who is enforcing the park’s by-laws, believing there is “no visible” council presence in many parklands across the area.
In a separate call at Monday’s virtual council meeting, councillor Mick Duff asked if management intends to provide Park Ranger services as part of park upgrades – such as the proposed €2m upgrade to Killinarden Park.
Speaking with The Echo, Cllr Duff said that he mainly asked the question due to the significant investment in Killinarden Park.
However, he believes all parks need to be protected.
“CCTV can be useful, but I would prefer a presence on the ground, a Park Ranger,” Cllr Duff said.
“Every park is an investment, and every investment needs to be protected.
“I believe Park Rangers can be a friendly deterrent to anti-social behaviour in our parks.
“The presence of a Park Ranger can help to protect the environment, the park and its users.
“They are also walking bulletin boards, providing information on the park’s features… and can build up relationships with the community.”
In its reply to Cllr Duff, council management confirmed that there are currently 14 Park Ranger positions in place – with “no plans to increase this number at this time”.
“These rangers are currently assigned to one of three park locations at either Tymon Park, Corkagh Park or Griffeen Valley Park”, the council said.
“Their duties cover the patrolling of other parks in addition to their base park, in other words it is possible to include locations such as Killinarden Park in the areas being patrolled by the rangers.
“The issue raised here regarding the protection of investments in parks is being examined.
“Every effort will be made to ensure that all facilities are adequately protected and monitored closely and regularly by both the park rangers as well as public realm staff and supervisors.”
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