COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

MOTION NO. 16

MOTION: Councillor E. O'Brien

Cathaoirleach's Business

"Noting the conclusion of the Play Space programme and the omission from that programme of the originally planned play space at Willsbrook Park, this Area Committee calls on the Chief Executive to ensure that priority is given to Willsbrook Park if and when any future programme of works for our parks is agreed by SDCC." 

REPORT:

Willsbrook Park is approximately 6.8 ha in size and is comprised of lands formerly occupied by Wills Brook House. While the house has long since gone the remnants of the walled garden still exists along with mature trees and hedges which have survived the intensive housing developments in adjacent estates. The original estate gates can be found at the corner of Esker Lane/Esker Park having been relocated from their original position by the Parks Department in the 1990's.

A biodiversity study conducted in 1999 identified 139 species of flora and fauna in the park at the time. This compared favourably with Hermitage Park (111 species) and Glenaulin Park (115 species) and can be attributed to the former estate lands which it is comprised of and the less intensive management practices. Detrimental management practices would include the removal of hedges and drainage of wet areas which have both been limited to date.

The park facilitates active recreation in the form of a GAA pitch and passive recreation for walkers, joggers, dog walkers, cyclists etc. It also facilitates a pedestrian and cycle link across the N4 via a footbridge into Esker Lane / Woodville estate. The pedestrian / cycle route from Esker Park estate to the footbridge is lit.

The following programme is currently on-going in the park by the operations and maintenance team.

Phase 1 (2015 – 2016):

Phase 2 (2016 – 2019):

Tree works identified as Priority one under the arboricultural report carried out under Phase 1 above are listed on the 2017 tree programme. Once complete the other actions outlined above can be progressed.

Public Realm section have also worked with the Land Use Planning and Transportation Dept in their management of a National Transport Authority funded project in Willsbrook Park. The first phase of the pedestrian and cycle track through the park was completed early this year. This shared route runs from the Esker Lane Park Entrance towards the pedestrian bridge and past the bridge to the Willsbrook View Entrance of the park on the periphery of the park. The second and final Phase which is part of Willsbrook Phase 3A, currently under construction, starts at the Willsbrook View Entrance, running  south west through the small bridge towards the Willsbrook Road Park Entrance. The kissing gate at the Willsbrook Road Entrance will be removed and replaced with a wall arrangement similar to the upgrade of the other two entrances under the previous phase. Once the two sections of cycle / pedestrian tracks are finished there will be a shared route with public lighting running from the Willsbrook Park Entrance to Willsbrook View Entrance and continuing  past the pedestrian bridge across the N4, and terminating at the Esker Lane Park Entrance.

Willsbrook Park is one of the locations currently under consideration for the Community Orchard as per the Community Orchard Project identified in the Public Participatory Budget 2017. Willsbrook Park will be considered in any future programmes that arise as it serves an important role in parkland provision, both passive and active recreation, it is a heritage site and it contributes to the green infrastructure of the area contributes to meeting the recreational needs of the area.