What #SaveShanganaghPark is:

A community-driven campaign with far-reaching support, asking DLRCOCO to:

• protect precious, under-threat green spaces for people of all ages to enjoy
• deliver improved sport facilities for local clubs in a sustainable way

 

What #SaveShanganaghPark is not:

Anti-sport, anti-development, anti-growth, anti-opportunities for young and old active and passive recreation seekers alike.

 

What negative impacts are guaranteed by the current plan?

• Significant volumes of additional vehicles (cars/coaches/tractors etc.) - causing congestion, pollution, illegal parking and a greatly increased risk of injury/death through road traffic accidents
• Substantial negative impact on park’s green spaces from a visual and (crucially) biodiversity perspective through removal of established meadows, trees and habitats
• Disagreements between clubs over pitch-allocations, limited access and growth opportunities, especially if allocated on a "pay-to-play" basis
• Loss of quiet, natural meadow space and negative impact for local residents due to increased use, air/noise/light/litter pollution, anti-social behaviour, public health risks from teams/fans urinating in public with no accessible toilet facilities
• No guaranteed funding or timeframe for the full “Masterplan” including refurbishment and opening up of Shanganagh Castle and land, leaving a smaller park with no facilities and a sport/nature imbalance

 

What’s the solution?

• Conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the full Masterplan to allay concerns and identify opportunities to develop while protecting/promoting nature-friendly solutions
• Upgrade the existing two GAA pitches in Shanganagh Park with proper drainage and floodlighting (as DLRCOCO have successfully done elsewhere) to increase surface playability, access, and share the allocation between local clubs and those beyond Shankill
• Preserve the central meadow and woodlands (i.e. no new pitches, floodlights or sprint track at the heart of the park); promote biodiversity through additional tree planting; enhance the area via an accessible bridge, age/ability-friendly exercise equipment and playground, viewing platform, picnic tables, water fonts, “green” toilets etc. to retain this unique open space for all to enjoy all year round
• Use wasteland and temporary DLRCOCO depot on proposed crematorium site for pitches, athletics facilities, basketball court etc. and critically, additional parking
• Upgrade existing pitches/facilities at Stonebridge and Shanganagh Cliffs; utilise existing and new pitches (Woodbrook College, Cherrywood, Oatlands etc.)
• Acquire additional land on the Allies River Road and Quinn’s Road sides of Shanganagh Park to expand the park and create green corridors to link with the Dublin Mountain Way and coastal corridor to Shanganagh Cliffs/Killiney

 

What are DLRCOCO doing and what do they need to do?

Despite overwhelming public opposition and a High Court Order quashing their 2022 plans, DLRCOCO seem determined that their solution is the only solution as evidenced by the same plans being presented over and over again.

But there are sustainable, more balanced alternatives available that will address most (if not all) of the public’s opposition to DLRCOCO’s latest plans and achieve the outcomes of enhanced sport facilities for all.

These solutions would also address the valid concerns raised by members of the local sports clubs who expect and demand their clubs to be more considerate of the natural and community spaces they operate in and contribute to on and off the pitch.

The current exercise is designed as a ‘public information sharing’ session as opposed to a public consultation and as such any future Part 8 application is destined to fall short once again as it appears the legitimate concerns of the community are once again being dismissed.

DLRCOCO planners and politicians need to wake up to this fact NOW and show environmental stewardship and community leadership by not just listening but acting on the wishes of those who want to safeguard Shanganagh Park as an amenity for all, now and for generations to come.

 

What next?

DLRCOCO are planning to launch a new Part 8 planning application on 03 February so now more than ever we need you to add your voice to the #SaveShanganaghPark campaign!

1. Sign the petition at www.change.org/SaveShanganaghPark and share across your networks with #SaveShanganaghPark

2. Tell your local councilors and politicians you demand better from them for Shanganagh Park and the local population – no more empty words or broken promises!

3. Join our community walks to the DLRCOCO public information sessions:

Walk One: Tuesday 17 January, 2023

5.45pm - Depart from St Anne's Park entrance
6pm - Depart from Cemetery/Playground entrance (opposite Shanganagh Marble & Stone)
6.15pm - Arrive Woodbrook College
6.30pm - Consultation starts
 

Walk Two: Saturday 21 January, 2023

1.15pm - Depart from St Anne's Park entrance
1.30pm - Depart from Cemetery/Playground entrance (opposite Shanganagh Marble & Stone)
1.45pm - Arrive Woodbrook College
2pm - Consultation starts
 

NB: For both walks, please wear hi-viz jackets for safety and visibility!

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For more information on DLRCOCO plans, see https://dlrcoco.citizenspace.com/parks/parks-shanganagh-park-cemetery-phase-1-development/

 

For #SaveShanganaghPark updates, visit www.facebook.com/SaveShanganaghPark