COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN, NEWCASTLE, RATHCOOLE, SAGGART AND BRITTAS AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, March 20, 2024

MOTION NO. 10

MOTION: Councillor W. Carey

That this Area Committee agrees that SDCC should consider proper boundary treatment to Knockmitten Park particularly where the park runs parallel to the streets of Monksfield and Woodford ( An example of which is shown at Yellow meadows Park and Lawns).

REPORT:

The boundary treatment at the end of the cul de sacs in Yellow Meadows estate consists of a dwarf wall and railing which was specifically designed to prevent vehicles entering onto the open space from the adjoining public roads.  The boundary treatment along the estates of Monksfield and Woodford consists of a low in-situ concrete wall which runs parallel to the roads.  The only exception to this is the stone wall at the cul de sac at Woodford Downs.  The reason for the enhanced boundary at the ends of the cul de sacs is because these tend to be the higher risk areas for unauthorised vehicles entering the open space which would been considered a problem at the time of construction.  The in-situ wall serves the same purpose but are not of a similar design as the issue of unauthorised vehicles entering the open space at these locations was not as problematic when they were constructed.

Upgrading the in-situ concrete walls to a similar type as those at the end of the cul de sac is not required to enhance park security.  The provisions of such boundaries would enclose the park and restrict access to specific points and reduce the open accessibility which currently exists.  The knock-on effect of this is that car parking by park users such as football teams which is currently dispersed throughout the estates would become concentrated around access points.  This in turn would lead to traffic congestion issues.  This will become more important when facilities such as the astro pitch are provided within the park.

Overall, enhancing the park boundary is not required to prevent vehicle encroachment.  It will restrict accessibility to the park and possibly lead to parking and congestion issues within the adjoining estate, it is cost prohibitive and cannot be justified.  There are no proposals to upgrade the boundary.