Locals vow to reclaim park

RESIDENTS in a Northside suburb have vowed to reclaim their local park after seeing it slide into a state of disrepair due to vandalism.

Darndale Park, which is approximately 13 hectares in size, comprises a children’s playground, football pitches, tree planted boundaries and a substantial pond, which is home to a series of freshwater habitats and wetland.

However, increased illegal dumping and anti-social activity have significantly reduced park usage for locals.

Appalled by the worsening situation, a campaign group has been established with the aim of making major improvements in the park and handing it back to the community.

The Darndale Belcamp Park Renewal Project is headed by Lance Spratt, chairperson and Susan French, secretary, and is strongly supported by Dublin City Council’s community development team and parks department.

Local public representatives including Cllr Larry O’Toole (SF), Cllr Paddy Bourke (Ind) and Sean Paul Mahon (FF) have also offered their support.

The Renewal Project team has already made a significant impact by renovating the playground and bringing about a major improvement in its physical condition. There is also huge buy-in from local service providers, schools, the gardai and the church.

Susan French, who has been living in Darndale for the last 38 years, said the group is determined to get the park restored for the community.

“A message was put up on Facebook that the park was a disgrace,

? Ms French told Northside People.

“We got a big reaction to it and formed a campaign group with the aim of reclaiming the park from the vandals.

“We approached Dublin City Council and were advised to set up a group to discuss what we needed.

“We will be sitting down with the city council to find ways of securing the park. Among the plans are to get a plinth wall built and a kissing gate so horses or quad bikes can’t get in. Hopefully, this will all be done in the near future.

?

According to Ms French, Darndale Football Club have not been able to hold their matches in the park for some time and have to travel outside the area to play their home games.

“Horses and quad bikes have the pitches destroyed,

? she said.

“You could have 12-15 horses roaming around the park on a daily basis.

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“It’s terrible that the club can’t use their own pitches because of anti-social behaviour.

?

Ms French said they are also trying to get a CE programme up and running whereby the workers would have a presence in the park.

“At the moment we are relying on volunteers,

? she added.

Nicko Murphy, PRO for the Darndale Belcamp Village Centre, praised the work of the Renewal Project team and said it has been very successful since its inception.

“The project has made improvements to the playground, 5-a-side area and pond,

? Mr Murphy told Northside People.

“The project has also maintained the green space by regularly removing litter, has made the playground safe again, and given this much-needed amenity back to the community.

“They removed the damaged and dangerous playground equipment and replaced it with safe new equipment bought from funds raised and donated from local organisations.

“There is still a lot of work to be done to finish the playground but we are definitely heading in the right direction.

?

Mr Murphy said the Park Renewal team has committed to keeping the area tidy, with members of the group regularly cleaning and picking up litter from the area.

“It is a fantastic achievement and it is a great example of what can be done when a community comes together,

? he added.

“A long-term solution to litter management and park security would be to set up a Community Employment (CE) programme within the park.

“We believe this is a key part of the renewal project and would also bring more local employment to the community.

?

Madeline Ebbs, from Dublin City Council’s community development section, based at Bunratty Road, Coolock, said the council’s support is based on the urgency to revitalise the park as part of a sustained and integrated renewal programme.

“It is evident that this community really means business and needs the use of their park,

? said Ms Ebbs.

“It’s terrible that the club can’t use their own pitches because of anti-social behaviour.

?

Ms French said they are also trying to get a CE programme up and running whereby the workers would have a presence in the park.

“At the moment we are relying on volunteers,

? she added.

Nicko Murphy, PRO for the Darndale Belcamp Village Centre, praised the work of the Renewal Project team and said it has been very successful since its inception.

“The project has made improvements to the playground, 5-a-side area and pond,

? Mr Murphy told Northside People.

“The project has also maintained the green space by regularly removing litter, has made the playground safe again, and given this much-needed amenity back to the community.

“They removed the damaged and dangerous playground equipment and replaced it with safe new equipment bought from funds raised and donated from local organisations.

“There is still a lot of work to be done to finish the playground but we are definitely heading in the right direction.

?

Mr Murphy said the Park Renewal team has committed to keeping the area tidy, with members of the group regularly cleaning and picking up litter from the area.

“It is a fantastic achievement and it is a great example of what can be done when a community comes together,

? he added.

“A long-term solution to litter management and park security would be to set up a Community Employment (CE) programme within the park.

“We believe this is a key part of the renewal project and would also bring more local employment to the community.

?

Madeline Ebbs, from Dublin City Council’s community development section, based at Bunratty Road, Coolock, said the council’s support is based on the urgency to revitalise the park as part of a sustained and integrated renewal programme.

“It is evident that this community really means business and needs the use of their park,

? said Ms Ebbs.