COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN/PALMERSTOWN/FONTHILL AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, June 23, 2020

QUESTION NO. 1

QUESTION: Councillor Shane Moynihan

To ask the Chief Executive for an update as to the development of Airlie Park, including the proposed community facilities and installations and as to what biodiversity provision will be made in the park. 

REPLY:

The tender assessment for the Airlie Park Project is currently being finalised. The next steps - subsequent to the finalisation of the tender assessment - will be the notification letters to Successful and Unsuccessful Tenderers and then execution of contracts with the preferred bidder. It is anticipated that the contracts could be signed in July 2020, with site works commencing in the following weeks. These dates are dependent on the evolving nature of the public health crisis.

The Airlie Park Project will provide a range of active and passive recreational facilities including: an all-weather astro turf pitch, a cricket pitch, 3 No. playgrounds, 1 No. Fitness area, tennis courts and a pavilion building/cafe, with associated changing rooms. The Park will also have integrated walking and cycling facilities, which will provide high qullity accessibility not only within the Park but will tie in with the existing and planned cycling and walking networks within the Adamstown SDZ.

In terms of biodiversity, there is a significant degree of soft landscaping within the Park, which will include planting of shrubs, trees, perrenials and wetland areas. The planting plans have been devised to align with best practise species detailed within the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan.

In addition, a dark zone/corridor for wildlife will be provided along the southern and western boundaries of the site. The aim of this dark zone is to enable local bats to continue to forage and commute through the site.