Writes Leo McMahon
‘Cork County Council is looking at the whole recreational amenity space in Carrigaline,’ senior executive officer (SEO) Maurice Murphy informed members of the local Municipal District (MD) at their monthly meeting.
He was responding to a motion from Cllr Patrick Donovan (FF) seeking a review of exercise equipment in the park and to look at replacing certain pieces that have rusted and become damaged.
Cllr Donovan said two people were on to him about this and said two of the older devices needed replacing and were quite dangerous. Seconding, an cathaoirleach Cllr Ben Dalton-O’Sullivan (Ind) said the MD should draw up a list of such items because there were recreational grants out of national funding that cover this.
MD officer Denise Kidney replied that the MD was examining the possibility of increasing public amenity space in Carrigaline town. It would be considered as part of plans for the area.
The SEO said it was accepted there was a deficit of amenity space in Carrigaline but the council was looking at wider options. The current space at the Community Park was quite crowded so as part of an overall plan it was hoped to spreading things out and using amenity spaces a bit better. Members welcomed this.
At the same meeting, there was a call by Cllr Una McCarthy (FG) for an enclosed Dog Park at Carrigaline Community Park.
In her monthly report, the MD officer said the council awaited the next announcement under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund operated by the Department of Housing in relation to progressing Carrigaline Public Realm which included major upgrading of Owenabue car park.
Cllr Jack White (FG) said there was now need a briefing with the project teams for Carrigaline Village Public Realm and Carrigaline Transportation and Public Realm Enchancement Plan (TPREP) in the aftermath of refusal of permission to Lidl to relocate because there could well be fundamental design changes to what overall would be the flagship project for the MD’s term of office.
In reply, the SEO said there was currently restructuring in the council, especially management of large scale projects. He envisaged that the process for engagement with councillors on these would be much clearer in the coming months. He assured them that the new chief executive’s focus was on community and they were moving in a positive direction.
Cllr Jack White (FG) proposed the council seek in conjunction with the National Transport Authority, bicycle racks next to bus shelters and future ones where possible. He also requested filling in of pot holes in the rear section of Owenabue car park, Carrigaline in advance public realm works.
Ms Kidney replied that the MD was successful last year in getting funding from the council’s Sustainable Travel Unit (STU) for a bike rack near the library Carrigaline because it is close to the greenway. Cllr White propose the STU be written to.
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