COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, December 10, 2012

MOTION NO. 9

MOTION: Councillor E. Higgins

That the Manager presents a report on the possibility of proposing a park in our County for a 5k run initiative in association with RTE's Operation Transformation. Last year the show, together with the Irish Sports Council, used a number of national venues on a set date for their national campaign. The Dublin venue, The Phoenix Park, was hugely over-subscribed. If the show is planning a similar 2013 campaign, a South Dublin County Council park could be profiled by the show and a community awareness campaign run at minimal cost through local groups and media. If not, perhaps the Manager would consider running our own County Run in conjunction with the publicity generated from this popular show which promotes healthy living.

REPORT:

The main parks in the county are used on a year round basis for running events. Among the events which have taken place in 2012 are:

The Business Houses Annual Cross Country run in Tymon Park in January; the Tom Byrne Memorial 5k run in Lucan, organised by Lucan Harriers in May, which started and finished at Griffeen Valley Park athletic track and the very succesful Ramble Aid, organised by the South Dublin County Sports Partnership, which took place over three weekends in September in Corkagh Park, Griffeen Valley Park, and Tymon Park. In addition, many local schools hold their annual sports days in our parks in May and June each year.

Tymon Park has previously been featured on Operation Transformation when a local woman from Tallaght appeared on the programme in 2011. RTE filmed part of the programme in Tymon Park and very positive feedback was received at that time.

Arrangements will be made to contact the producers of the programme to establish their plans for 2013. The option of running a County Event will also be considered in association with the Council's Sports Officer and the South Dublin County Sport Partnership and in association with the Promotion of Villages 20l3.