DLR County Council to hold public information sessions on planned Phase 1 development of Shanganagh Park and Cemetery

Ahead of submission of Phase 1 planning permission in early 2023, DLR County Council say they want to ensure the local community are fully informed on proposed development of new sports facilities in the park.

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council intends to reapply for planning permission for the addition of an active recreation zone in Shanganagh Park in February 2023.

These plans form part of Phase 1 of redevelopment in line with the 2019 Masterplan for the park and adjoining Shanganagh Cemetery complex.

Ahead of this submission and the start of the Part 8 process, DLR County Council will be holding two public information sessions at Woodbrook College, Bray on Tuesday, January 17th from 6:30pm until 8:30pm, and Saturday, January 21st from 2:00pm until 5:30pm.

These sessions aim to ensure that all members of the Shanganagh Park community are fully informed on what Phase 1 will involve and how this aligns with the longer-term goals for the park.

A detailed outline of the planned development in Phase 1 will be provided and the local community will have the opportunity to clarify any queries they may have. All are welcome to attend, with activities for children and young people included.

Those interested in attending can find out more and register for updates on the DLR website here.

Shankill and the surrounding areas have seen a huge growth in population in recent years and will continue to welcome new residents into the future.

The 2019 Masterplan sets out to ensure that Shanganagh Park continues to play an important role in the growing community, by providing a wide range of amenities for the diverse users of the park.

Community consultations during the Masterplan development identified a huge strain on sporting facilities in the area.

Also noted during this process was the importance of maintaining wild open spaces in the park for the important role they play in biodiversity and overall park enjoyment for non-sports users.

The plan aims to address all these needs through a reallocation of park spaces, consolidating and increasing the range of sports facilities within one centralised complex in Phase 1 to allow for better use of other spaces in the rest of the park.

Access issues to the east of the park due to the DART line will also be improved in Phase 1, opening up these wild meadow spaces and coastal views for more park users.

In the next phase, a new woodland playground and wetland/lake area will be developed on the site of the former pitch beside the Old Dublin Road.

Councillor Mary Hanafin, An Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council said:

“Sports participation rates in the county of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown are some of the highest in the country per capita. These facilities will be open access and free for the public to use. Bringing together these facilities for GAA, soccer, baseball, cricket, athletics and more in one centralised area will allow other zones in the park to be given over to uses such as biodiversity enhancement, play areas, and better overall enjoyment of the park for all users.”

Frank Curran, Chief Executive of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council said:

“The Woodbrook Shanganagh area is one of the growth areas in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council with a number of housing developments under construction at present.

“Without a clear, dynamic, and long-term plan for Shanganagh Park & Cemetery, park upgrades would happen in a piecemeal fashion. I welcome Phase 1 of the development which will provide additional sporting facilities and other uses into this central part of the park.”

Speaking on the Phase 1 development plans for the park, Eoin O’Brien, Senior Executive Parks Superintendent for DLR County Council said:

“The Shanganagh Park & Cemetery Masterplan provides a framework for the future growth and upgrade of the park. It seeks to balance active and passive recreation and the protection and enhancement of biodiversity is a key aim of the plan.

“The development of the active recreation zone is a priority in the masterplan to support local clubs and community use.

“The upgrade will also encourage unstructured active participation with a new basketball area, natural play space and callisthenics workout zone. In addition, access will be improved for pedestrians and cyclists and extensive seating will be placed at key locations.”

For more information on Phase 1 and the full 2019 Masterplan for development of Shanganagh Park and Cemetery, visit dlrcoco.ie/shanganagh23