COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE

Monday, June 22, 2015

QUESTION NO.7

QUESTION: Councillor M. Murphy

"To ask the Chief Executive, in relation to Greenhills Archery in Tymon Park, while clearly I agree with facilitating such a successful club there are a number of issues which are outstanding and need resolution in relation to their current location in the South West Corner of the Park near Balrothery/Castlelawns.

What consultation if any was carried out with the Residents who live in the proximity of the Park at that end? What meetings have been held between Greenhills Archery and the Council? The container they use has been moved once already, has a final location been agreed?

What precautions have been taken to prevent a stray shot from hitting bi-standers including people in the vicinity of their homes?

It should be noted that it is not helping matters that this particular end of the Park was neglected for years."

REPLY:

The Council was approached some time ago by Greenhills Archers  which is affiliated to Archery Ireland and World Archery for a suitable location in a park in South Dublin. The club had also made representations for the facility through the Elected Members.

Following examination a site (the current site) was subsequently identified in Tymon Park.  The final selection of the site was predicated on a Council inspection and the suitable response to the questions asked of the club including in relation to safety for the archery users, park users and those living in the adjoining housing area. The safety concerns which were raised were addressed comprehensively by the club in their Risk Assessment and Safety Statement.

When letting areas of Council parkland for sporting activity it is not general policy to initiate a consultation with local residents, unless the sport is taking place in a local open space.

In this case the sport is taking place in a Regional Park and there is an acceptable distance from the residential area to the sporting area.

Archery is not a noisy sport and is a sporting activity that is ideally suitable for this area of Tymon Park. The sport also crosses the age divide and is suitable for the young and the older population. It also facilitates activity in a section of the population that may not be interested in team sports.

It is intended to upgrade the landscape of this section of the park in tandem with improvements to the archery facility.