COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM/TEMPLEOGUE/FIRHOUSE/BOHERNABREENA AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, October 12, 2021

MOTION NO. 8

MOTION: Councillor L. McCrave

That this Area Committee supports the objectives and intent of the Green Flag in Rathfarnham Castle Park by provisioning timed lighting for Rathfarnham Community Athletics Club in support of Section 6 of the Green Flag criteria 'Community Involvement' and also provisioning same in support of the objectives of Section 4 Environmental Management for the park as well as Section 2 objectives in support of a 'Healthy, Safe and Clean' park.

REPORT:

South Dublin County Council do not have a floodlight system in Rathfarnham Castle Park.

Lighting in parks and open spaces has only been provided where there are short links between residential areas.  It is not considered safe to provide lighting in large parks since persons could find themselves in a secluded area of a park and vulnerable to anti-social elements who would be attracted by the public lighting.  Parks should therefore not be used during darkness when alternative lit routes are available along public roads which are passively supervised by passing traffic.

The provision of lights in our parks would also increase the carbon footprint of the Council and it could be considered to be an unacceptable intrusion into the ecology of the area.