COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

QUESTION NO. 14

QUESTION: Councillor C. Jones

To ask the Manager if he will consider locating a dedicated dog-walking area within Griffeen Valley Park?

REPLY:

As previously reported to the Lucan Area Committee Meeting in May 2011, the provision of a dog run in Griffeen Valley Park will be considered on a pilot basis subject to the identification of a suitable site. The Council's Dog Warden Service have advised that an area, approximately the size of a football pitch, secured by means of a hedge/fence with designated access points, and convenient to the greatest number of dog walkers would ensure the best chance of success. 

The Dog Wardens have also advised that the provision of a dog run would greatly assist them in the enforcement of the Bye-laws relating to the control of dogs in the park. To this end, the draft 2011 Park Bye-laws contain proposed new provisions, specifically providing for the designation of areas in public parks for use as dog runs. 

Following a recent review of Griffeen Valley Park for a suitable, centrally located area of this size, the junior pitch located adjacent to the GAA pitch at Hayden's Lane has been identified as an ideal location for the provision of a dog run. The site is centrally located in the park, is convenient to the main pedestrian routes through the park, and is already partially enclosed. While the proposed site is currently let to a local club for the 2010 / 2011 season, the club also has allocations on two other pitches in the park.  Based on allocations in recent years, it is envisaged that the club's requirements can be accommodated elsewhere in the park for the 2011 / 2012 season. 

It is proposed, subject to securing the necessary resources, to proceed with this project later this year.