DCC submits record number of parks for Green Flag consideration

Twelve parks owned and maintained by Dublin City Council are being put forward for the Green Flag Park Awards 2023.

For first time since the awards were introduced by An Taisce in 2015, all electoral areas within the council’s jurisdiction are represented in the submissions.

The parks being put forward for consideration are Ringsend Park, Herbert Park, Eamonn Ceannt Park, Bridgefoot Street Park, Ballyfermot Peoples Park, Griffith Park, Blessington Street Park Basin, Poppintree Park, Johnstown Park, St Anne’s Park, Father Collins Park, and Albert College Park.

Five other parks, which were awarded a Green Flag in 2022, will retain their flag next year.

These are Bushy Park, Markievicz Park, St Audeon’s Park, Weaver Park, and St Patrick’s Park.

According to Dublin City Council, the Green Flag Award is judged against eight criteria.

“When entering a park, the overall impression should be positive and inviting,” the council says.

“There should be good signage with space and recreational facilities provided for all ages and interests in the community.

“The park, its equipment and facilities must be a safe and secure” and the park “should be clean, free from litter and vandalism.”

The park should also be maintained in a sustainable fashion such as minimising the use of pesticides, while “the conservation of biodiversity, natural and built heritage is addressed as part of the Park management.”

The local community should also be active in the park and there should be a good provision of information available to the public about the available amenities and activities in the park.

A management plan should also be implemented and regularly reviewed.

North Dublin beaches in Fingal were also awarded a Blue Flag at a recent awards ceremony held in Donabate.

The Blue Flag scheme, now in its 36th year, is a prestigious, international award that aims to provide an assurance to tourists that a beach has met a minimum standard.

To collect a Blue Flag any Ireland beach must satisfy standards covering the highest quality in water, facilities, safety, environmental education and overall management.

Balcarrick Beach in Donabate was awarded both a Blue Flag and a Green Coast Flag, making it one of only eight locations in Ireland to get a double nod from An Taisce.

Across Fingal, there were three Blue Flags and one Green Coast Flags retained, with Velvet Strand in Portmarnock and South Beach in Rush being honoured alongside Balcarrick.