COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE

Monday, May 23, 2016

MOTION NO. 7

MOTION: Councillor C. O'Connor

That this Tallaght Area Committee calls on the Chief Executive to confirm his commitment to further positive development of Dodder Valley Park, Old Bawn, Tallaght and in reporting to the motion will the Chief Executive note the view of many in the local community that these plans should include attention to the Bridge Weir, Park Ranger patrols, the provision of information boards displaying the Park By-Laws, urgent repairs to the Basketball Court, attention to the Dodder River and nets on the Tennis Court. Will he also confirm what recent consultation he has had with the local community in respect of the Dodder Park.

REPORT:

Old Bawn Park, Dodder Valley is well maintained and the Council is committed to the further development of it. In 2016 work will commence on the development of a new car park and Sports Pavilion adjacent to the ESB sub-station. This work will include the thinning out of the vegetation around the sub-station in association with the ESB. The local communities have been consulted on this project and will continue to be as the plans progress.

A section of the Dodder Greenway was opened in 2015 and this has been enthusiastically received by the local and wider community. Some work has taken place to increase the view of the Old Bawn Bridge and further work will continue in Autumn 2016. In the long term it is planned to undertake a reconstruction of the “weir” to make it visually attractive and safe and to facilitate the movement of fish further upstream.

There is a definite need to provide information for the public and other visitors to the park. This work will be included in the signage project for the county as a whole.

In relation to the Tennis/Basketball courts area: the local community requested the removal of this facility during the course of the public consultation in relation to the Sports Pavilion project. It is planned to include this work as part of the car park construction project and subject to the availability of the necessary funding to do so.

The park is patrolled on a frequent basis by the Park Rangers.