COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

MOTION NO. 7

MOTION: Councillor E. Tuffy

Cathaoirleach's Business

"That this Committee notes that Fingal County Council has given notice of its intention to develop a Master Plan for St. Catherine's Park, Lucan, which will include playgrounds, coffee shop, public toilets, pitch n' putt course, fishing pond, cattle field, a pedestrian bridge across the Liffey, etc., and asks the Manager to request the Parks Department to examine the potential for South Dublin County Council developing complementary facilities and amenities in Lucan Demesne."

REPORT:

The section of Lucan Demesne (St Catherine’s Park) in the Fingal administrative area, to the north of the River Liffey, extends to approximately 52.5 hectares (130 acres).  The substantially larger parkland enables a variety of activities to take place. They currently range from active recreation on pitches to passive recreation along the woodland paths.  The master plan for the park provides for a significant increase in the variety and range of activities having regard to the extent of the land available and the provision of additional car parks in the proposal.

The section of Lucan Demesne which is maintained by South Dublin County Council extends to approximately 12 hectares (30 acres). The configuration of this parkland has determined the development of the park to date which consists primarily of river side walks of approximately 2km, riverside meadow, tree planting and seating. The stretch of river in the vicinity of the weir also attracts several canoe clubs and is a well used location throughout the year.  Access to the park is via a small car park located at the Lucan end of the park and by a pedestrian bridge over the River Liffey at the Leixlip end of the park.  The park is considered to be very well used, given the constraint on car parking facilities.  The topography of the land adjacent to the car park prevents further expansion of the existing car park. Careful consideration is therefore required in relation to the provision of any additional facilities which are likely to increase car based visitor traffic. It is intended to continue to manage and maintain the section of the park in the South Dublin area in a manner which compliments the facilities in the Fingal and Kildare sections of the park.