NAAS, 29 June 2001: by Brian Byrne. It wasn't a big affair, but at least the threatening clouds didn't dump on the UDC officials, employees and members and the group of parents and children who came along to the official opening of the Monread District Park last night.
And, unlike last year's opening of the railway linear park on the other side of town, there was no music or food and drink to celebrate the occasion. But before concluding proceedings, town clerk Declan Kirrane promised a 'big party' later in the summer for the residents and children of the area.
"We had planned a celebration for this evening, but due to circumstances outside our control this wasn't possible," he said. He also committed the UDC to have a playground in the park 'by the end of the year'.
It was the non-existence of that playground which contributed to the dampened proceedings, as the event was boycotted by the Monread Parks Committee comprised of residents from the different estates around the area, who felt strongly that the official opening by outgoing chairman Pat O'Reilly was 'premature' without even plans of a playground in the offing.
And although both Cllr O'Reilly and Declan Kirrane spoke of maintaining communications with the residents on the park's development and maintenance, it is precisely a LACK of communication on the UDC's part that has upset the residents' committee.
And there was clearly a division among members of the UDC about the relevance of last night's event, as Cllrs Mary Glennon and Pat McCarthy didn't attend, and Cllr Anthony Egan stayed in the background and didn't join the line of councillors at the commemorative stone for its unveiling. Cllr Charlie Byrne only joined the line when called on by a colleague.
Town manager Tommy Skehan also preferred to play a background role, leaving the limelight to the chairman and those members willing to brave the camera flashes.
In their speeches, both Cllr O'Reilly and Declan Kirrane mentioned the failure to carry through the UDC's commitment of a year ago on the playground, but it was not possible 'due to a number of reasons'. £100,000 has been earmarked for the provision of the facility.
Cllr O'Reilly paid tribute to the initial work on the design and development of the park by South Dublin County Council on contract, and to the recent work which has been completed by the council's own gardener Dermot O'Neill and his team. Maintenance of the 30-acre park will be undertaken by Green Avenue Nurseries at an annual cost to the UDC of £50,000.
"Toilet facilities will be provided as soon as possible, and the council's Litter Warden will supervise the park on a regular basis," he said.
The land for the park was gained by the UDC throughh amalgamating all the 'green space' areas required for the many individual housing developments in Monread, and has been 20 years in being brought to its present state. In addition to the planned playground, there is space for a number of sports pitches and other facilities, and Declan Kirrane said he will welcome suggestions from 'any committee' and individuals, noting that he had already received a request for a 'rollerblade arena'.
©2001brianbyrne/knn