COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE (1)

Monday, October 20, 2008

MOTION NO 17.

MOTION: Councillor E. Maloney

That this Committee supports the provision of a full-time Park-warden at Watergate Park, Tallaght.

REPORT:

The full Warden/Park Ranger service provided by the Parks Department is spread over the 3 Parks districts – Corkagh, Tymon and Esker.  There are currently a total of 16 Park Rangers employed and they perform an educational, supervisory and security role in relation to the existing County Council Parks and open spaces. The Park known locally as Watergate Park is located within the Corkagh District.

The Parks Department has attempted to deal with the ongoing problem of anti-social and criminal activity taking place in some of the parks and open spaces under its control. In this regard, a number of years ago the Park Ranger service across the county was rationalized on an area basis and the base headquarters for the Corkagh District Park Rangers was transferred to Corkagh Park.

Since this rationalization took place it has been decided to keep a daily presence of general maintenance staff in the park, who are engaged in ongoing litter control and general maintenance works and this provides important additional day-time security for park users. The Park Rangers from Corkagh also visit the Park at least once a day and concentrate their activities near the fountain area and at the pedestrian over bridge leading to the Square Shopping Centre, where anti-social/criminal activity is most prevalent.  Further improvements are also underway in relation to extending the CCTV coverage in the Park.

It is accepted that the provision of a full-time Park Ranger service in the park would be highly desirable, particularly in the context of the development of the new Children’s Playground. Unfortunately this is not possible, at least in the short term, in view of the financial and staff number restrictions under which the County Council must operate.