01/07/2003
Archived item. This item is published here for historical reasons. The information below may be out of date.
Issued on behalf of the Council Document Title:opening of Firhouse Village Park
by M.Keyes Head of Corporate Services Author :Margaret Pierce
Tel: 4149100 Creation Date:01/07/03
Email:mkeyes@sdublincoco.ie
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Firhouse Village Park
When proposals for this park were being prepared, there was no source of funding determined at the time. However, wisdom prevailed and it was decided to formalise agreement for the layout of the park in order that development work could proceed if and when the finance became available.
On the 7th December 2000, The Council examined a presentation by the Parks Department on the proposed layout of the park at the Community & Parks Committee Meeting. A formal public consultation process followed in accordance with the Park X Local Government (Planning & Development). The consultation process generated various views on how the park should be developed and what its function should be in the community and this helped to raise local awareness of the project. Development of the park commenced in 2002 and its completion occurred in recent months with the planting of trees, shrubs and flowers.
The design objectives included the upgrading of the green space to an attractive local park that is now a focal point in the community enhancing the links between the church, school, shops and apartments. This was achieved by the tree-lined walkways constructed of high quality paving. As the trees mature to form avenues, the central lawn area, which was redeveloped as a level surface, will assume an importance that will facilitate a multitude of activities. The southern side of this little park is defined by a low wall of natural stone and similar materials were used to define the boundary with the church grounds. A low railing defines the interface of the park with the adjacent footpath.
On the eastern side of the park, the use of wooden sleepers provides a contrasting shape and texture, as well as supporting the gentle rolling mound which is now planted with a range of herbaceous plants, bulbs and flowers.
Firhouse Village Park is further embellished with attractive seating, bollards and the public lighting is soon to be installed. In years to come, it can be used as a canvas for various artworks thus continuing an evolution of improvement.
The total cost of providing the park was of the order of €150,000 and the work involved a combination of direct labour and six specialised contractors. The trees, shrubs, and other plant material was sourced from six different nurseries which illustrates the broad range of plants now growing in the park.
Staff of the Council’s Parks Department are to be commended for the design and development of this park and thanks to Roads Department staff for their co- operation.
Firhouse Village Park has proven popular with the community and appreciation is hereby extended to the parish priest Fr. Colm Matthews who has arranged for this park to be included in the FAS programme.
Firhouse Village Park - Mayors Speech
I am delighted to officiate at the opening of this park which was developed by the Council for the community of Firhouse. Its existence is a tribute to the local community, the elected members and officials who co-operated to make an idea into a reality.
The beginnings of this delightful little park can be traced to the Firhouse Park Project Committee which made representations to South Dublin County Council in 1999, for a project to mark the new millennium. They were seeking the development of a park on a 0.63 acre public open space adjacent to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Firhouse. Further meetings were held and a committee formed from which a proposal for a small community park on this site emerged.
Fortunately, in 2002, an allocation of funding in excess of €100,000 from the EU Urban and Village Renewal Scheme allocated through the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government made this project a reality. Work commenced on site last year and the park is now looking splendid thanks to the hard work of the staff of the Parks and Roads Departments