Memorial park plan for Tarry Path area

AN area that has become synonymous with illegal dumping and anti-social behaviour could become a memorial park if local residents’ proposals are passed by Cork City Council.

The Tarry Path in Mayfield has been the site of littering and underage drinking and City Hall officials said last year they were considering infill housing as a solution to tackle the problems.

However, Councillor Joe Kavanagh has been given the backing of local residents to ask the Council to turn the area into a public amenity.

It’s proposed to call a new park ‘Mayfield Memorial Park’ in memory of all the people in the area that have been affected by suicide.

“Over the past year or more I have been working with residents and officials in City Hall in relation to coming to a solution to the ongoing problem with dumping in this wasteland area,” said Mr Kavanagh.

“The general consensus seems to be that the removal of the seclusion factor of this area by removal of all overgrown weeds, grass, trees, etc and plant grass similar to next door at the rear of Glenamoy Lawn will help to open up the area as a public amenity as opposed to an overgrown area to dump rubbish.

“This proposal is currently being assessed and I hope that this much-needed project will be included in the 2019 Parks Programme.

“Most importantly, the residents are very keen to see this area transformed to an asset to our community and used in a positive and beneficial for all living in the area.

“If you look at the other side of the palisade, behind Glenamoy Lawn, there is a similiar area that is beautifully landscaped and grassed. We’d like to replicate that on the other side of the palisade fence between Avonmore Park and Mount Brosna,” he added.

Under the proposals, work carried out on the site would include the removal of all rubbish and weeds, cutting of grass, light fitting repairs and the introduction of benches.

A motion submitted by Mr Kavanagh on behalf of locals will come before City Hall’s environment directorate before being discussed at full Council level.