20/06/2005

Archived item. This item is published here for historical reasons. The information below may be out of date.

Mayor Robert Dowds will officially open Ballycragh Park, 20^th June 2005 at 12.30

Ballycragh Park was designed by Murray and Associates on behalf of Maplewood Developments, in liaison with the Parks and Landscapes Services Department of South Dublin County Council and is now taken in charge.

·         Construction of the 8 ha. (20 acres) park completed by early 2003 with the development of the sports pitches, formation of the lakes, pathway and boundary construction.

·         Tree planting commenced in early 2004 and was complete by January 2005.

Over 500 standard sized trees within the park boundary and within the roadside verges immediately alongside the park.  The majority of these are in the park.

·         Main avenue tree is Lime (Tilia species) both within and outside the park along the verges

·         Elm  (Ulmus species) was planted along the Scholarstown Link Road

·         There are also over 50 feature trees within the park including Maple, Cherry, Liquidamber, Beech, Tulip tree, Oak, Holm Oak, Ash and Horse Chestnut.

·         Evergreen trees include Pines and Cedar.

Hedging (Length of hedging  = 1,060 meters

·         Beech hedging (4,500no. plants) has been planted around the entire perimeter of the park.  In addition the existing native hedgerow and scrub growing along the stream has been supplemented with woodland plants (Whitethorn and Blackthorn).

Lake Area (Area of lake  = 4,600m² ):

·         The lake includes two islands, which will be a haven for wildlife including breeding birds.  This has been planted with native woodland plants including five large willow trees, as well as Spindle and Alder.  The lake area has also been planted along its margins with Dogwood and grasses including Rush, Chinese Fountain Grass and Woodrush.

·         The stream going through the park for a Length of 330 meters is a tributary of the River Dodder

·         The main grassed area includes two soccer pitches and the remaining sections are planted with 5000 daffodil bulbs.

The Footpaths are surfaced in tamacadam for ease of walking for all people and they comprise a network of  1,675 metres.

Access gates/bridges/seats:

·         The park is enclosed by a stone clad wall around its perimeter  for a length of 800 meters

·         There are 2 vehicular gates and 6 pedestrian gates with wheelchair access

·         The stream and lake is connected by 3 stone pedestrian bridges

·         Four seats have yet to be installed around the lake.

Council Personnel Involved: