COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

QUESTION NO. 5

QUESTION: Councillor G. O'Connell

To ask the Manager for an update on the ongoing work to make Glenaulin Park safer, litter free and less of a hazard for local residents who back onto it, as promised at local meetings and during the course of motions put down by Members of this Area Committee?

REPLY:

Glenaulin Park is considered to be relatively safe during park opening hours. The majority of anti-social behaviour reported to the Gardaí and the Council generally occurs outside of normal hours.

The standard of maintenance overall is considered to be good with regular grass cutting and litter picking taking place. The park is not considered to have a significant litter problem relative to other parks and open spaces under maintenance in the county.

In terms of anti-social behaviour, a small number of matters have recently come to the attention of the Council.  Over the last few months, two reports were received of horses in the park which were passed on to the Council's contractor for attention. While no horses were seized, there have been no reports of horses present in the park since mid March. 

A number of complaints were also received from an individual regarding a person engaged in golfing activity in the park.  These complaints have been investigated by local staff but no person has been found to be golfing in the park. It is believed that the person in question is no longer using the park for golf related activity.

In addition, following a number of representations about anti-social behaviour from local residents and groups, the bench adjacent to the convent at the Rossaveal Court entrance to the park, was recently removed. The removal of the bench has led to a reduction in anti-social behaviour at this location but has unfortunately resulted in a series of complaints from elderly walkers complaining about the removal of the bench. Local staff are endeavouring to identify a suitable place where the bench might be replaced which would meet the requirements of the elderly walkers while avoiding the creation of a new location for anti-social behaviour. 

Plans to upgrade the entrance at Glenaulin Green are being advanced and it is expected that these works will commence within the next 6 to 8 weeks.