Writes Leo McMahon
There was enthusiastic support at the recent meeting of Carrigaline Municipal District (MD) for a motion from Cllr Una McCarthy (FG) calling on Cork County Council to provide a Dog Park within Carrigaline Community Park.
On the agenda, was a motion from her asking the council to investigate the feasibility of designating an enclosed section of the park to allow dogs be off-leash.
‘I have received numerous requests from constituents for a designated off-leash area for dogs. A fully fenced and gated space where dog owners can safely allow their dogs to run and play off-lead would not involve a huge amount of cost but would greatly benefit the many dog owners in our local area,’ said Cllr McCarthy, a dog owner.
‘A suitable site for this project has been identified behind the pond in the Community Park that could be developed into a safe, dedicated dog park. I have also engaged with the local Tidy Towns group, who are enthusiastic about contributing by planting around the perimeter fence to enhance biodiversity and improve the park's overall appeal.
‘The dog park in Ballincollig Regional Park has proven to be very successful, and I’ve been informed by residents in Ballincollig that many people from the Carrigaline area are travelling there regularly to use the facility. It is clear that a similar amenity is needed in our district to meet the growing demand,’ Cllr McCarthy added.
Seconding, Cllr Audrey Buckley (FF) said the area was ideal. She too visited the dog park in Ballincollig which had become an amazing social gathering place for owners. She also spoke of the success of a dog park at Golden Gate Park when she resided in San Francisco, USA. The councillor has previously campaigned for a pet cemetery for Co Cork.
Cllr Jack White (FG) also supported the motion. He pointed out that there was a page set up a couple of years ago on Facebook called Carrigaline Doggie Park seeking such a facility. As a dog owner himself, he would very much like to bring his dog to a place in MD and socialise, adding that there was effectively an unofficial enclosed one near the ferry terminal at Glenbrook, Passage West.
An cathaoirleach Cllr Ben Dalton-O’Sullivan (Ind) said it was a great motion and felt the proposal should be explored and submitted if funding came up.
In a report, MD officer Denise Kidney said the MD was examining increasing public amenities space in Carrigaline town and this would be considered as part of the plans.
At the meeting, senior executive officer Maurice Murphy said the proposal would be looked at. An area had been identified that would have to be examined in more detail in the context of the entire Carrigaline public realm. The MD was also looking to engage with its colleagues in Ballincollig to see how it operated because there had been a negative feedback about a facility in Dublin.
Cllr McCarthy said she had already spoken to city councillors, of which Ballincollig is part, and they would be happy to speak to MD members and officials.
MD manager Sharon Corcoran concurred with Mr Murphy. She herself travelled from the city to use the dog park at Ballincollig which she described as ‘absolutely fantastic’ adding that it prevented people letting dogs off-leash elsewhere. Cllr McCarthy’s motion was one the MD should take seriously and if viable, try to fast track it because it would add value for the large population of Carrigaline MD. Access and parking would be important but she didn’t envisage anyone in Co Hall would be against the motion.
The motion was unanimously adopted and thanking members, Cllr McCarthy asked that, if approved, the initiative be actioned as quickly as possible.
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