Bid to Expand Carrigaline Skatepark

Writes Leo McMahon

Due to its success and high demand, Carrigaline Skatepark in the local Community Park should be expanded said Cllrs Patrick Donovan (FF) and Jack White (FG) at the recent meeting of the county council’s Carrigaline Municipal District (MD).

‘A number of minor adjustments to this area would greatly enhance its offering to users,’ they stated in a joint motion and also suggested suitable lighting to allow for safe use at night time and for an expansion to incorporate a junior skatepark for younger children.

In a report, senior executive officer (SEO) Maurice Murphy said the Sports Capital Grant fund to provide the skatepark initially was not an option for the proposed expansion. It would need to be led by a community group to access other funding streams.

If specific lighting was installed, it would not be standard but would require the recruitment of an external lighting expert and need to go through the council’s own Part 8 planning process which could raise concerns regarding proximity to the Special Area of Conservation (SAC).  ‘The council would also be concerned that night time activity could have the potential to attract anti-social behaviour such as the burning of the bins in the park which has been happening recently.’

The SEO circulated copies of the bi-lingual signs for the skatepark stressing that the facility is for children aged over ten. ‘This is a public liability insurance requirement making a junior park unfeasible. The signage in place has been vandalised and the MD will be taking remedial action to address the further risk of vandalism when the signs are replaced.’

Pointing out that the joint motion was based on requests from several parents and children whom they met on site, Cllr White said it was great to see the free skatepark being so well used but it was only confined to day time and there were requests for lighting to facilitate evening use.

Cllr Donovan concurred, saying it was a fantastic amenity used seven days a week and well respected. He asked council management to keep an eye for any possible funding stream to enable an expansion.  Mallow skatepark had features which could be incorporated into Carrigaline and asked that this be checked. In agreement, Cllr White said minor adjustments could make a big difference and perhaps be funded by the MD itself.

An cathaoirleach Cllr Ben Dalton-O’Sullivan (Ind) seconded. To a question from him, MD officer Denise Kidney said it would be on a list of other amenity projects in the MD for which funding was being sought.

Cllr Eoghan Fahy (SF) supported the motion but stressed the need to evenly spread funding and allocation of amenities across the entire MD stretching from Ringaskiddy to beyond Ballinhassig.

Marmullane Park

A motion from Cllr Donovan requested the council investigate the possibility of additional amenities in Marmullane Park, Passage West.

In a report, Mr Murphy said in September 2024, the MD was asked to look at the possibility of installing a skatepark in the park and stated: ‘It may be possible to include a small skatepark in the area. It must be noted however, that the park is approximately one acre and a skatepark would by and large eliminate the green space.’.

The SEO added that to proceed, it would need to go through the council’s Part 8 planning process and require a funding source. A preliminary costing was around €160,000.

Noting the response, Cllr Donovan asked if there were just some skatepark or other features from other parks in the county that could enhance Marmullane.

Cllr Una McCarthy (FG) agreed saying a number of groups (e.g. cricket) had approached her looking to use the extra space in the park.  Shße suggested consulting the local community to ensure they could facilitate as many organisations and people as possible.

Cllr Fahy said the motion in 2024 about a skatepark was from him. Marmullane Park already had an outdoor gym, a basketball/soccer court, an internal perimeter walk and was well lit.  He acknowledged the limit on size that might rule out a full size skatepark but suggested installation of a table tennis table which he understood was removed at some stage because the concrete base was in place.

Cllr Dalton-O’Sullivan concurred and favoured consulting the local community. Ms Kidney said she would enquire about the table tennis table request.