THIS is the People’s Park as you’ve never seen it before.
The much-loved Dún Laoghaire amenity was officially re-launched last week by the cathaoirleach, Cllr Marie Baker, following the completion of an extensive redevelopment programme.
The works, which took over a year to complete, have returned the park to its original Victorian layout.
Hard surface areas have been reduced with an increase in soft landscaping features, such as the perennial borders and large areas of manicured lawns.
The pavilion building, originally constructed for use as a shelter in Victorian times, is now home to leading restaurant Fallon & Byrne.
It has been restored and extended to provide a modern, vibrant restaurant with extensive views over the park and the bay.
The Gate-Lodge has also been restored to provide modern public restrooms and a new elevated public space has been created over the DART line that connects the park to the seafront.
The ever popular playground has also been extended and upgraded for the benefit of the younger visitors to the park.
Speaking at the event, Cllr Baker thanked everyone who contributed to the successful completion of the project.
“The significant investment in this beautiful Victorian park has provided a public amenity that will be enjoyed for decades to come by the people of Dún Laoghaire who will come to perhaps just savour the seaside atmosphere, maybe to play with their children, or to buy food in the weekly farmers market, to enjoy a meal with friends or maybe just sit and enjoy an ice cream cone.
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Local councillor, Victor Boyhan said that as a professional horticulturalist, he recognised the enormous work that has been put into the project, in terms of design and planting.
“It’s a fantastic restoration and a great job has been done by the team,
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