Rathfarnham Castle and its surroundings provide a fantastic recreational amenity for local residents, and with the redevelopment plan some of the proposed changes will further enhance the park
However, the proposed conversion of the Sean Keating park into a car-park is a detrimental suggestion. As a user of the park, multiple times a day, I pass through the Sean Keating park area. It offers a calm respite from the rest of the area, and despite the traffic passing by, is a tranquil space. To name a few, the area is used by parents with small children who enjoy "fishing" in the summer, admiring the frozen pond in the winter, adults meeting friends and stopping to chat in the seating areas, elderly people and their carers who appreciate the accessibility and opportunities for supported seating, some small exercise groups.
In a time where land is taken to make space for bus lanes and cycle paths to encourage public and active transport, and discourage private care use, this proposal to take an existing park amenity and convert it into a car park makes no sense at all. From the other submissions and public outcry, it is clear the local residents strongly object this proposal and are as baffled as I am.
If the need for additional car parking spaces is such a necessity - why not add a second story to the existing car park? However, nobody wants to be looking at even more cars so this wouldn't pass, so why should the Sean Keating park be removed to make way for cars? Build an underground parking level if parking is so imperative, but I imagine the cost would be prohibitive.
While I welcome the breathing of new life into the castle and its grounds, the conversion of Sean Keating park into a car park is a disgraceful suggestion.
Observations
Rathfarnham Castle and its surroundings provide a fantastic recreational amenity for local residents, and with the redevelopment plan some of the proposed changes will further enhance the park
However, the proposed conversion of the Sean Keating park into a car-park is a detrimental suggestion. As a user of the park, multiple times a day, I pass through the Sean Keating park area. It offers a calm respite from the rest of the area, and despite the traffic passing by, is a tranquil space. To name a few, the area is used by parents with small children who enjoy "fishing" in the summer, admiring the frozen pond in the winter, adults meeting friends and stopping to chat in the seating areas, elderly people and their carers who appreciate the accessibility and opportunities for supported seating, some small exercise groups.
At at time when the Government is actively trying to create hang-out spaces for teenagers (https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/press-releases/minister-foley-announces-500000-in-funding-for-new-recreational-spaces-for-teenagers/), the proposed removal of a space where they can meet seems very contradictory. With a few tweaks an area of the Sean Keating park could even be designated a teen zone, making even better use of the space.
In a time where land is taken to make space for bus lanes and cycle paths to encourage public and active transport, and discourage private care use, this proposal to take an existing park amenity and convert it into a car park makes no sense at all. From the other submissions and public outcry, it is clear the local residents strongly object this proposal and are as baffled as I am.
If the need for additional car parking spaces is such a necessity - why not add a second story to the existing car park? However, nobody wants to be looking at even more cars so this wouldn't pass, so why should the Sean Keating park be removed to make way for cars? Build an underground parking level if parking is so imperative, but I imagine the cost would be prohibitive.
While I welcome the breathing of new life into the castle and its grounds, the conversion of Sean Keating park into a car park is a disgraceful suggestion.