COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF TERENURE-RATHFARNHAM AREA COMMITTEE 2
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
MOTION NO. 10
MOTION: Councillor S. Laing
CATHAOIRLEACH'S BUSINESS
"That the Manager give a full detailed report on the time schedule for completing the Dodder Linear Walk."
REPORT:
The Dodder Valley Linear Park extends alongside the River Dodder from Oldbawn in Tallaght to the boundary with Dun Laoghaire Rathdown at Rathfarnham and has been developed in accordance with the "Dodder Valley Linear Park Management & Development Plan". This plan was prepared in 1996 and it was proposed for implementation over a 10-year period. Since then, significant improvements and development works have been achieved throughout the entire length of the Park.
These include:
- Construction of an extensive network of surfaced pedestrian paths to facilitate access along the River Dodder and throughout the Dodder Valley parklands
- Securing of boundaries along the entire route including the installation of low walls, vehicle barriers and anti-cycle gates at a number of locations.
- Drainage and improvement works to sports pitches
- New woodland plantations were planted under the Forest Service’s Urban Woodland Scheme at various locations. These are now maturing to provide attractive amenity areas
- Development of a carpark at Cherryfield
- Installation of park benches
- Significant planting of bulbs in both the Rathfarnham, Cherryfield and Oldbawn areas of the Park
- Landscape improvement works in the vicinity of Firhouse Weir to enhance pedestrian access and tree planting to provide a backdrop to the weir and provide screening of the adjoining concrete works
- Development of the new Dodder Valley parklands at Firhouse which incorporates a network of pedestrian paths, a viewing mound and wildflower meadows. Further landscaping of the area will be completed during 2008.
- A new boundary wall and railing incorporating a formal vehicular and pedestrian entrance to the newly developed parklands is being provided as part of the ongoing Firhouse Road Improvement Scheme. The contractor for the road scheme has been temporarily facilitated with a compound area within the parklands for the duration of the project. On completion of the road scheme and vacation of the compound site, a new car park to serve the new parklands will be constructed on the site on the current works compound.
The development of the Dodder Valley Park remains ongoing. Plans are in progress for the development of a network of Green Route cycleways throughout the park which would incorporate additional bridge access across the Dodder. Agreement has been reached with the ESB to undergound the existing high voltage ESB lines at the rear of Mount Carmel to facilitate the development of three new sports pitches. This matter will continue to be pursued over the coming months. Under the 2006 Sports Capital Programme €250,000 has been allocated towards the construction of changing facilities to replace the existing containers at Oldbawn. Consultation has commenced with the sports clubs who utilise the pitches at Oldbawn and proposals will be drawn up and presented for the development of a changing facility at this location in due course. Plans are also being prepared for landscape improvement works to enhance the amenity value of Oldbawn Weir.
It is envisaged that the continued improvement and development of the Dodder Valley Park will remain ongoing into the future as funding opportunities arise.