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Forward together - a new Markievicz Park

Smiling children of all ages from Ballyfermot had a great day out in Enniskerry, Co Wicklow when they visited Knocksink Environmental Education Centre with parents and other adult helpers. The kids identified wildlife and native trees on their woodland safari and later learned how to plant and care for their green leafy friends.

Members of the Markievicz Park Implementation Group, Left to right, Edna Farrell, Lord Mayor Michael Conaghan, Lord Mayor of Ballyfermot Henry Harding, Clara Bartley, Sgt John Edgeworth, Frances Gallagher, Dan Canning, Marie Dodrill, Anthony Brady, Carmel Cahill. Pat Teehan, Michael Noonan and Peter Leonard Landscape Architect, not in the photo.

Dublin Bus provided the bus that whisked the kids back to Ballyfermot that afternoon where the children used their new skills during the symbolic planting of trees in Markievicz Park. With parents, neighbours and well-wishers looking on the kids planted time-capsules (provided by Crowley's Pharmacy) with their personal messages and dreams for the future. The planting begins a new era for Markievicz Park and it is hoped that as the trees grow strong and reach for the sky so too will the children of Ballyfermot and their dreams for the future. Lord Mayor, Michael Conaghan sent his best wishes for the from the USA where he was on official business and said "I'm delighted that improvements to the Park are finally about to begin, it's been a long time coming. The members of the Implementation Group worked well together to achieve this." Superintendent Ed Finucane officiated at the ceremony and the Lord Mayor of Balllyfermot, Henry Harding thanked everyone for their involvement and said "there may be differences of opinions on some things but what's most important is that the work begins as soon as possible after the planning decision."

Thanks to Bolands, Hardware, many little green fingers took away a keepsake pansy to plant in their own gardens. All involved contributed something to the day which went a long way to making it the success that it was.

The visit to Knocksink and the tree planting in Markievicz Park, are the first activities marking the start of the long awaited programme of improvements to the Park funded by URBAN & Dublin City Council. The activities were organised by the Markievicz Park Implementation Group, a committee representing each of the Community organisations in Lower Ballyfermot as well as the Gardai, Dublin City Council and the URBAN Programme. This committee has been responsible for bringing together the different interests in Lower Ballyfermot and through patience and endurance beating out a plan for a new and better Markievicz Park.

The plan for Markievicz Park is two fold, primarily it is a plan for physical improvements to the park, upgrading and replacing what is currently run down and defunct, but equally important will be the new Park Management Plan. The Park Management Plan will outline a partnership approach between Dublin City Council, the Gardai and the Community aimed at reclaiming the park from the problems it now faces. This will involve strategies for tackling anti-social behaviour and for maintaining the park to the standard reached through the URBAN funding investment. Key to this management plan will be an ongoing friend of the park group that will monitor the park and represent the needs of the community.

The plan for the physical refurbishment will be subject to a planning application. This will be publicly advertised within a few weeks. A notice will be placed in the Echo newspaper and notices will be posted around the park. The plans will be on view at the Planning Department at Wood Quay and also at a number of venues around Ballyfermot, details of which will be given. The decision of this planning application will be final so after much difference of opinion and the resulting delay, the community can look forward to the beginning of real improvements to the park based on the planning decision within a number of months.

All members of the Markievicz Park Implementation Group have expressed the hope that through their efforts, and the finality of the planning decision, differences can be put aside and the groups can work together for the future.

Quotes of the Implementation Group Members:

Michael Noonan, Parks Dept: "Parks Department welcome this investment and are committed to maintaining the Park to the highest level when the work is done."

Sgt. John Edgeworth: "The Gardai are working with Dublin City Council and the Community to reclaim the Park for those who will respect it."

Clara Bartley, URBAN: "It was a great day out, the kids were brilliant, and we owe it to them to make the park the best it can be. URBAN is delighted to have been able to provide €500,000 for this purpose."

Peter Leonard, Landscape Architect: "A lot of consultation took place in drawing up the plans, now everybody will have one last chance to make suggestions through the planning process before the work begins."

Lord Mayor, Michael Conaghan, Markievicz Park Regeneration Group: "I'm delighted that improvements to the Park are finally about to begin, it's been a long time coming. The members of the Implementation Group worked well together to achieve this.

Edna Farrell, Markievicz Park Regeneration Group: "We'll have a great park by the end of the year. It can't happen soon enough."

Anthony Brady, Markievicz Park Regeneration Group: "It'll be great to see the Children playing in a safe new park."

Henry Harding, Lord Mayor of Ballyfermot, Agenda 21: "Quite delight to see that the project is moving ahead which will benefit the children most importantly".

Dan Canning, Lower Ballyfermot Tenants & Residents Association: "The Park must be used by the people for the enjoyment of the Community."

Carmel Cahill, Playground Subcommittee &, Frances Gallagher, Residents Decies Road O'Hogan Road, Garyowen Road:: "Now its time for work, to make Markievicz Park a better place to play."

Marie Dodrill. "We want to see as many people as possible actively using the park and its facilities."