COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

MOTION NO. 6

MOTION: Councillor R. Dowds

That the Manager presents a report on Collinstown Park, North Clondalkin dealing with the following issues:-

(a)  Secure fencing and gates around the park with the aim of preventing access to motorbikes.

(b)  Dealing with litter in the park.

REPORT:

The use of motorbikes in public parks is prohibited.

The entrances to Collinstown Park have been designed to deter motorbikes from accessing the park. Despite considerable efforts made to exclude them, motorbike users continue to gain access to the park. The balance between restricting motorbike access while maintaining universal access for pedestrians, wheelchairs and prams is very difficult to achieve where motorbike users are determined to gain access to a park.

It is clear that some motorbike users are able to get through or around the barriers provided. Following a report to the Area Committee meeting in April 2010, an examination of the park boundaries and entrances was undertaken and a number of upgrades have since taken place.

1. The barrier at the pedestrian entrance at Collinstown Grove was replaced by a kissing gate in October 2010.
2. An infill barrier was fitted to the bottom of the newly installed vehicle gate opposite the Community College Sports Centre to prevent motorbikes going under the barrier.
3. The damaged section of fence at Wheatfield Crescent/Court was repaired in July 2010.  Since its repair it has been damaged on another occasion and subsequently repaired again.  It is believed that the damage is occurring on account of the absence of a formal entrance to Collinstown Park from Wheatfield Crescent/Court.  This results in unauthorised entrances being created to facilitate access to the park.  A number of boulders have been installed in the vicinity of the locus to prevent further damage by vehicles.
4. A new kissing gate has been manufactured to replace the K-barrier at Oatfield Avenue.  The gate has been sent away to be galvanised and will be installed shortly after it is returned.  It is expected that the gate will be in situ before the end of the month.

While the extent of littering in Collinstown Park is not a significant issue, the focus of the dumping is of considerable concern.  In recent years, litter and stolen wheel bins have been dumped at the base of mature trees in the park and set alight.  Repeated fires compromise the health of the trees leading to dieback and ultimately the death of affected trees. Trees damaged in this way require premature felling, in the interests of public safety. The most recent tree to be severely damaged in this way was located adjacent to Wheatfield Court and it was felled in November 2010.  Much of this anti-social behaviour takes place in the evenings and at weekends, outside of normal staff hours. To assist in tackling this problem, residents are encouraged to report incidents of arson to the Gardaí who may take action under the Council's Bye laws or other relevant legislation such as the Criminal Justice Act.