COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE (1)

Monday, September 24, 2012

MOTION NO. 14

MOTION: Councillor C. King

That this Committee calls on the Manager to investigate the feasibility of providing a Community Garden in the vicinity of St Dominic’s Community Centre with raised beds etc. It is likely that the current footprint of the existing Centre may have to be increased and could be done in tandem with the agreed in principle MUGA/Play facility that is included in the current County playground programme.

REPORT:

In principle it would be possible to provide a Community Garden in the vicinity of St Dominic’s Community Centre.  Community Gardens are gardens maintained and managed by local residents in a spirit of community cooperation.   They have many positive aspects, e.g. community involvement, learning opportunities for both adults and children, education of children in environmental issues. 

The actual infrastructure work required to facilitate the proposal is relatively straightforward - once the financial implications have been planned for.  The finance required would have to cover remediation of the site soil (the soil in this area is unlikely to be suitable for gardening work and would have to be replaced), fencing and gates and the creation of small garden areas with walls and paths. 

The first part of such a development is the creation of a viable group of individuals who would be committed to the project and its long term maintenance which is substantial but rewarding.  Such a group should then visit existing community garden projects in the Dublin area to listen and learn from the experience of these groups and to understand the size of project that might be feasible in this area.

The Parks and Landscape Services Section, Community Department and the Environment Awareness Officer can provide guidance and help on the project.