COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN/PALMERSTON/NORTH CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, November 24, 2020

QUESTION NO. 1

QUESTION: Councillor P. Gogarty

To ask the Manager if it could be possible to make access to the apple tree in Waterstown Park more accessible as edible apples are going unpicked, to outline if there are any plans to plant more fruit trees in the vicinity; and if a statement can be made on the matter?

REPLY:

Waterstown Park is one of the many parks and open spaces along the River Liffey which together form the Liffey Valley Park. The topography of park as the name suggests is primarily sloped and it is not until one arrives at the bottom of the valley that the land levels out to a more even surface.

In choosing a site for planting apple trees, a number of factors were considered. These included suitable ground conditions to ensure the trees would grow, proximity to footpaths to ensure that the trees were visible to the public and position within the park to ensure that they would not be subjected to vandalism and given every opportunity to mature.

The valley floor was examined for a suitable site however as it did not meet the above criteria a location just north of Riversdale House was chosen instead. A total of 20 apple trees were planted in 3 staggered rows in spring 2018 and all have established well. While the sloped nature of the site restricts access, it does however contribute to their survival. It would not be possible to improve access to the apple trees as by doing so would require extensive ground works which would be detrimental to the survival of the trees.

While there are no current plans to plant more fruit trees in the vicinity, the matter will be given more consideration in the context of any future improvement works that might take place where an opportunity arises.