COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN MEETING
Thursday, June 17, 2021
MOTION NO.
MOTION: Councillor Alan Hayes
Chapter 8. (P 217). Community Infrastructure and Open Space. Policy 4, insert an SLO for Glenaulin Park: Insert the following: COS 4. SLO 1 - To work with local sports clubs using Glenaulin Park in Palmerstown, to enhance the co-located facility to meet the growing need with a high quality, multi functional sports and recreation hub that provides appropriate equipment for sports clubs, children and teen space.
REPORT:
This motion proposes to insert an SLO for Glenaulin Park with regards to sporting facilities.
Glenaulin Park covers an area of approximately 11 hectares. The Park is located in South County Dublin and has a shared boundary with Dublin City. As a result, the park serves residents in both catchment areas. There are 5 GAA pitches and 2 soccer pitches in the park. The pitches are used by Ballyfermot DLS GAA, Palmerstown Utd FC, St Patricks GAA and Glenville FC. Ballyfermot DLS GAA, Palmerstown Utd FC, St Patricks GAA have clubhouses in the park. At the east end of the park, Ballyfermot Sports Complex occupies a large site which is accessed via Gurteen Road.
The park has 9 entrances which are positioned at strategic locations to facilitate access to the park and connectivity through the park. A dedicated cycle lane links Glenmaroon Road with Rossaveal Court.
A well-established beech/hawthorn hedge encloses the park, and this is interplanted with ash trees. The park has two tree lined avenues. These are the oak (Quercus) avenue between Oakcourt Lawn/Drumfin Avenue and the lime (Tilia) avenue between Glenmaroon Road/Rossaveal Court.
The Glenaulin stream flows through the park and the banks along the stream have been set aside as naturalised areas with a restricted mowing regime in place. These areas have been planted up with a mix of trees which include oak (Quercus), beech (Fagus), Turkish Hazel (Corylus colurna), birch (Betula), Field Maple (Acer campestre), pines (Pinus), Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus), Alder (Alnus), Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum).
Future plans for the park include the retention of the existing user groups which provide a high level of activity in the park. The primary user groups are the sports clubs and to this end the pitches are maintained to a high standard with grass cutting taking place on a weekly basis. To enhance accessibility to the Ballyfermot Sports Complex a link path and gate has been installed on the north side of the boundary in the complex which enables parks users to make use of the facilities therein. Routine maintenance of the park which includes grass cutting, litter picking, hedge cutting etc. will continue on a regular basis.
In considering the above, it is suggested the proposed amendments be part of the proposed SLO:
‘To continue to improve and develop Glenaulin Park in Palmerstown in tandem with the local community and other stakeholders, to enhance the park amenity including its sports and recreation facilities for park users of all ages including older people, children and teenagers and the local sports clubs and other stakeholders in accordance with the Council’s Sports Pitch Strategy and the Parks and Open Space Strategy and Sports Plan.’
Recommendation
It is recommended that the motion be amended to insert a new SLO under COS 4 SLO 2 (which follows on COS 4 SLO 1 as included as part of Motion 71274) reads:
‘To continue to improve and develop Glenaulin Park in Palmerstown in tandem with the local community and other stakeholders, to enhance the park amenity including its sports and recreation facilities for park users of all ages including older people, children and teenagers and the local sports clubs and other stakeholders in accordance with the Council’s Sports Pitch Strategy and the Parks and Open Space Strategy and Sports Plan.’