Update

Further to the below, the #SaveShanganaghPark GoFundMe page is now live at https://www.gofundme.com/f/saveshanganaghpark - donations welcome, link sharing encourged - thank you!

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As summer morphs into autumn, hopefully most of you got a chance to enjoy the free Green Prescription that Shanganagh Park offers - the wildflower meadows are now lovely shades of golden yellows and browns while an abundance of blackberries have begun to appear throughout the Park's hedges :-)

But we can't take any of that for granted and the #SaveShanganaghPark campaign continues and recharged after the summer break...

So where are things at?

Following the latest DLRCOCO Part 8 process, it transpired that several archeologically important sites sat below the meadows DLR were seeking to rip out and replace with floodlit pitches, a move which would drastically alter the heart of the Park - an area viewed by the majority as an accessible, natural space for unstructured play and enjoyment by young and old alike, biodiversity rich with open skies, spectacular views, and located away from the noise and traffic associated with the other areas of the Park already dominated by playing fields used by local (and not so local) clubs.

Additionally, in January this year, An Bord Pleanala determined that the Council were not required to conduct a full and proper Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). This was despite over 45 individuals requesting a review of the Council's application on the grounds of project scale, cumulative impact, and splitting of the Shanganagh Park Masterplan into Phases (potentially to avoid the need for an actual EIA).

As such, the plans have been altered by DLR, not in response to well-documented public and stakeholder feedback, but given interventions from the National Monuments Service and the National Parks & Wildlife Service of the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage. 

The public have NOT been consulted on the latest plans and they were subsequently approved by a Council vote on 12 February - watch the recording of the meeting here or via the link https://dlrcoco.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/854288/start_time/1020000?force_language_code=en_GB

What next? The High Court!

Following a successful legal challenge against the original proposals in October 2022, a new legal challenge is being undertaken and will be heard in the High Court in October as the #SaveShanganaghPark campaign seeks a Judicial Review of the decisions by An Bord Pleanala and DLRCOCO.

The outcome of the case will determine the future of Shanganagh Park and the benefits it provides to nature and the community, near and far, now and for generations to come.

Pursuing this legal challenge is a resource-heavy undertaking in terms of time, effort and finances and we are very grateful for the continued support of all who have signed and shared this petition and campaign details.

#SaveShanganaghPark relies on your support

While the Change.Org web site automatically facilitates voluntary donations from those who sign petitions to advertise and share them more widely, at no stage of the campaign have we asked supporters to contribute financially to any legal challenge (despite our campaign winning the original case in Oct 2022, DLR have still not paid the legal costs they were ordered to by the High Court!).

As we enter the legal endgame and are confident in the grounds put forward to challenge, a crowdfunding site will shortly be established to cover expected legal costs and details will be shared here for those who wish to contribute. 

Update: Further to the above, the #SaveShanganaghPark GoFundMe page is now live at https://www.gofundme.com/f/saveshanganaghpark - donations welcome, link sharing encourged - thank you!

What use are pitches if flooded or too hard to play on? Or if it's too hot or stormy outside to play?

We fully recognise the benefits of sport for all, especially young people, and fully support the need for more sports facilities in and around Shankill to serve a growing community - but this can't be at any future cost to our communities and the environment that sustains us.

Alongside a national housing crisis, we are in a climate and biodiversity emergency - as much as some may disagree, these outweigh any sport facility emergency!

Just because a pitch fits does not mean it is the best location - even without the natural impact, the human cost will be significant - more cars and traffic jams, fewer safe parking spaces and greater risk of accident, injury and death; more players but no sign of toilets or changing facilities for children, especially girls and young women; increased noise, traffic, light and litter pollution; increased risk of damage and injury from flying footballs and rock-hard sliotars, baseballs and cricket balls to name but a few. 

Taking away precious natural spaces from a public park used by all for the benefit of a few (most of which travel by car to access the pitches and don't live locally) is not the answer.

The solution? Developing/upgrading existing sport facilities and zoning/allocating sufficient space in any new developments to ensure more space for nature and space for recreation, be it active or passive, informal or organised.

That is why we are calling for a full and proper Environmental Impact Assessment so the cumulative effects of recent and future developments and biodiversity loss can be properly understood and alternatives found when Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council look at acquiring and zoning/rezoning agricultural and other suitable lands surrounding the Park for housing, parks and recreation facilities.

Please help us #SaveShanganaghPark and spread the word!

Facebook: www.facebook.com/SaveShanganaghPark

Twitter/X: @SVShanganaghPk

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Are you a sports club member? Get your club onboard with making space for nature - visit:
- Sports for Nature
- GAA Green Club Programme
- All-Ireland Pollinator Plan for Sports Clubs

And for more on the physical and mental health and well-being benefits of natural spaces, check out the articles below:

- https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/02/green-prescriptions-health-wellbeing/

- https://psychcentral.com/blog/10-ways-nature-helps-your-well-being