Cuffe calls for more ‘pocket parks’ in Dublin

Green MEP Ciarán Cuffe has called for Dublin City Council to develop more parks in response to the rising number of apartments in the city.

Cuffe made a submission to Dublin City Council said that parks are “invaluable amenities for those living in bustling urban environments” and that all Dublin residents “should have a park within walking distance from their home.

In addition, Cuffe called for more drinking fountains, wilderness areas, and climbable trees in existing parks.

“Traditionally, the Council has focused on larger and medium-sized park spaces. However, with more apartment living than ever before, there is a growing need to provide smaller ‘pocket parks’ within walking distance of people’s homes. People should be able to access even small pockets of green space without having to cross major roads,” he said.

“For the first time ever, there are over 1.5 million people living in our city. We need to build houses for these people first and foremost, that is without question the top priority. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us the importance of local and accessible green spaces for our physical and mental health. The provision of valuable local amenities like pocket parks for apartment dwellers should be a key feature in the Council’s parks strategy.”

Cuffe, who was recently re-selected as the Green candidate for Dublin in the 2024 European elections, also raised concerns about the underuse of existing parks, such as the limited pedestrian access and mixed-use development surrounding Mountjoy Park, and further warned against the use of glyphosates and other toxic chemicals in parks.

“The provision of sheltered spaces in our parks would help prevent a lull in visitors during winter months. We could have more space for cafés in parks with outdoor seating, and particularly in proximity to playgrounds.”