COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TERENURE-RATHFARNHAM AREA COMMITTEE (2)

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

QUESTION NO. 21

QUESTION: Councillor C. Keane

"To ask the Manager for an current update Rathfarnham Castle playground - on all of the issues raised by the Castleside Residents Association?"

REPLY:

The Parks Department continues to be in regular contact with representatives of Rathfarnham Castle Residents Association (RCRA).  The most recent meeting between officials from the Parks Department and representatives of the RCRA was held in late September 2008.

The following is a summary of current matters discussed and an update on actions proposed:

CCTV:

A CCTV system, which records continuously, has been installed by the Parks Department.  Parks Department depot staff monitor the system during daytime working hours.

Installation is currently in progress of a ‘voice over P.A. system’ and a facility whereby the CCTV is monitored at night by a private security firm via a broadband link.  The night time sensor of CCTV system will be motion sensitive and will be triggered by any unauthorized activity in the playground. 

The Parks Department and the RCRA agreed that the night time monitored CCTV System will operate on a pilot basis until October/ November 2009.  The effectiveness of the system will then be reviewed by the Parks Department.

Liaison with Rathfarnham Garda Station:

The Parks Department continues regular liaison with the community Gardai for the area.

Patrols by private security company:

The Parks Department and the RCRA agreed that upon commencement of the night time CCTV monitoring that the security patrols would be discontinued.

The Parks Department has prepared a budget cost estimate for the recommencement of night time patrols in the playground by the private security company at possible peak periods throughout 2009 inter alia school mid-term breaks, exam result time and Halloween.  A copy of this budget cost estimate has been made available to the Residents Association.  The effectiveness of the system will also be reviewed by the Parks Department in October/ November 2009.

Toilet facilities:

The Parks Department propose to install toilets in a location adjacent to the Rathfarnham Castle Park Depot in 2009.

Entrance at The Woodlands:

As agreed with the RCRA, the Parks Department has undertaken to replace the existing double leaf vehicle entrance gate with a lockable pedestrian only gate at The Woodlands.  The new gate shall be installed during the coming winter months.

Entrances at Rathfarnham Road, Grange Road, Rathfarnham Wood and Castleside Drive:

Rathfarnham Road:

The boundary along Rathfarnham Road is under the control of the OPW.  The Council is aware that the OPW are preparing proposals in respect of works to the castle which includes for new boundary treatment and pedestrian access along this boundary.

Grange Road & Rathfarnham Wood:

The current entrance at Rathfarnham Wood consists of an unlockable anti-cycle gate.  In advance of any proposed alteration to a lockable pedestrian gate, the RCRA propose to consult with the residents of Rathfarnham Wood and revert to the Parks Department.  The closure and locking of these gates at night will result in inconvenience for local residents, as alternative routes to this current ‘short cut’ would be required.

Castleside Drive:

The entrance at Castleside Drive consists of an existing lockable pedestrian gate and double maintenance gate.  OPW staff lock the double maintenance gate at night.

The Parks Department commenced night time locking of the pedestrian gate in early October.

Noise Monitoring:

The Parks Department has undertaken noise monitoring pre and post playground opening to determine noise levels.

Further noise monitoring will be undertaken by the Parks Department in spring 2009.  A report on the findings of this further monitoring will made available to the Residents Association

Planting of clusters of trees surrounding the playground:

The Parks Department have undertaken to plant clusters of standard trees which will be strategically placed on the perimeter of the playground to provide filtered views into the castle grounds and from within the castle building.  As requested by the RCRA, this will include 6 No. trees which will be planted on the eastern/northern side in direct line of sight from the playground to The Woodlands entrance.

The planting will be carried out during the 2008/09 season.

Boundary screen planting at The Woodlands entrance:

The Parks Department has undertaken to provide additional screen planting on both sides of the entrance at The Woodlands to further screen views of the playground. 

The planting will be carried out during the 2008/09 season.

Boundary screen planting in the re-instated temporary site works entrance area:

The Parks Department has also undertaken to provide boundary screen planting in the location of the re-instated temporary site works entrance gate.

The planting will be carried out during the 2008/09 season.

Standard tree planting in the roadside grass verge at The Woodlands entrance:

As requested by the RCRA, the Parks Department have undertaken to plant standard trees in the roadside grass verge at The Woodlands entrance. 

The planting will be carried out during the 2008/09 season.

Boundary screen planting:

Earlier in the year, the Parks Department completed screen planting along the boundary with 10A The Woodlands and along the rear boundary of The Parklands.  As requested by the RCRA, the Parks Department has undertaken to plant additional shrub material along the new boundary wall with 10A The Woodlands.  The planting will be carried out during the 2008/09 season.