COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

QUESTION NO. 1

QUESTION: Councillor P. Cosgrave

"To ask the Manager to give an update on the proposed community space project for the laneway at the rear of Willbrook Park?"

REPLY:

As community gardens are of relatively recent provenance in an Irish context, the Council is currently exploring the possible structures, legal issues and practicalities under which the concept can be advancd in general in the South Dublin administrative area. A community garden is typically run by formal agreement with the landowner by people from the local community.  It is managed and maintained with the active participation of the local community who assume direct responsibility for its planting, landscaping and upkeep themselves.  For such an initiative to develop and operate successfully at Willbrook Park, it will require the full, firm and long term committment of the residents in the immediate area.  In this context, the residents would need to give consideration to the formal organisation of a group who would assume responsibility for the development, regulation, funding, management and maintenance of the community garden.  In order to establish the level of interest and committment to the concept of a community garden in the area, the Council will arrange to meet early in the new year with the residents of Willbrook Park to discuss the proposal.