Cork development: Uptick on works in parks across the city

THIS year saw an uptick in construction works at parks across the city, with more developments — including the commencement of works on the second phase of the city’s newest park — set to get underway in 2024.

Looking back to the start of 2023, Cork City Council announced in January that advance works for the next and final phase of Cork’s new Marina Park would soon be commencing ahead of the main construction works.

A long-term ambition of the city council, the completed 70-acre park will be six times larger than Fitzgerald Park and equivalent in size to Dublin Zoo.

Phase one, totalling 14 acres, was opened in May of 2022 by the then Taoiseach Micheál Martin, who described the park as “a wonderful, valuable addition to the amenities of our city and wider region”.

A spokesperson for Cork City Council told The Echo that the tender assessment for phase two is now complete.

“It is anticipated that a contract will be awarded and works commenced in early new year,” they added.

Just 2.5km from the city centre, Marina Park has been touted as “a key economic driver” and “catalyst for Cork Docklands”.

The next phase in the park’s development will extend from the Atlantic Pond to Church Avenue.

Cork City Council said it will deliver “high-quality public space and landscaping while protecting and enhancing the natural heritage and biodiversity of the area”.

Works as part of the final phase will include the upgrading and creation of accessible, formal and informal paths and trails throughout the park; the restoration and preservation of heritage structures within the park and the creation of a heritage trail to highlight the history of the Marina in addition to improvements works to the Atlantic Pond area.

Works will also include the provision of a nature playground as well as various play areas throughout the park; the ecological management of the meadows, woodlands and marsh areas to promote and increase the biodiversity of the area and the provision of “sensitive public lighting and feature lighting”.

Other associated works will include the installation of park furniture and points of interest.

Commenting on the plans for the park, the chief executive of Cork City Council, Ann Doherty, said the local authority is aiming to create “an iconic ‘eco-park’ with a strong identity and a connection to local nature and history which will bolster the quality of all our lives”.

Meanwhile, the city council also confirmed to The Echo that construction works have now begun on the Marina Promenade project.

The council has appointed contractors Ward & Burke Ltd to complete the project with funding support provided by the National Transport Authority (NTA).

When complete, the project will deliver a six-meter-wide pedestrian and cycle corridor with adjoining plazas, riverside balconies, new seating areas, and new lighting.

The upgrade project also includes the provision of new pedestrian and cycle access points from the Marina Promenade to the adjacent Marina Park including the Atlantic Pond and the city to Passage West Greenway.

Speaking recently, the Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Kieran McCarthy, said the pedestrianisation of the Marina during the pandemic underscored what a “haven for activity and leisure” the historic amenity is, adding that the integration of the promenade with other amenities “will be of further benefit to the communities of Blackrock, the Docklands and wider city”.

Adjacent to the Marina Promenade, phase one of the Cork city to Passage West Greenway was officially opened by Tánaiste Micheál Martin in April. The 3km greenway linking the South Docklands and Mahon traces the route of the 19th century Cork, Blackrock and Passage Railway line.

The revamped walk and cycleway includes new and improved access ramps, extensive planting of over 2,000 new trees and a range of other pollinator-friendly planting, new lighting, play and rest features as well as the restoration of historic railway structures.

Speaking at the official opening, Mr Martin hailed the “wonderful amenity” as “a very happy place for children”.

“It is an exciting era in terms of active travel in Cork city,” he added.

Meanwhile, the council’s chief executive said the 3km greenway provides “improved access, additional opportunities for young and older to play whilst prioritising sustainability.”

Elsewhere on the southside of the city, the much-anticipated new pedestrian and cycle link to Tramore Valley Park opened in November.

The Grange Road to Tramore Valley Park pedestrian and cycle link consists of a pedestrian and cycle path from the Grange Road down the valley and into the Tramore Valley Park via an overbridge over the N40.

Earlier this year, Cork City Council commenced a public consultation, inviting nominations for the naming of the new bridge, funded by the NTA, and a total 598 nominations were received.

A shortlist of six names came before councillors to vote on at a meeting in July, where the name Vernon Mount Bridge was chosen.

Speaking at the time of the opening, the Lord Mayor said the new infrastructure would be a “huge bonus to the community”, while local Fine Gael councillor, Shane O’Callaghan, hailed it as a “fantastic new amenity”.

On the northside of the city, plans are progressing for the development of a new regional park.

Earlier this year, Cork City Council said tender documents for the appointment of a multi-disciplinary design team to undertake the master planning and design of the proposed North West Regional Park would soon be issued.

The update was provided following a question on the project submitted by Sinn Féin councillor Mick Nugent at a Local Area Committee (LAC) meeting in May.

Commenting at the time, the council’s director of infrastructure development, Gerry O’Beirne, reaffirmed the council’s commitment to developing the amenity, stating that it is a “key objective for the council, as set out in the Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028”.

“In order to progress the matter, the City Development Plan envisages the preparation of an overall masterplan to guide the development of the proposed facility,” he said.

The council told The Echo in recent weeks that it is anticipated that the team will be appointed to commence design work in the first quarter of 2024.

“The related plans will be the subject of Part 8 planning process when complete,” a spokesperson for the local authority added.

In the heart of the city centre, redevelopment works at Bishop Lucey Park are set to commence early in the new year.

Based on an award-winning architectural design by Hall McKnight Architects, the redeveloped park will include improved access to the historic city wall, a new events pavilion and plaza, improved access and seating for all and a new tower to mark the eastern entrance.

Commenting recently, the Lord Mayor said the revamped amenity will deliver a new park for the modern era “while respecting the past”.

Independent councillor Mick Finn also welcomed the imminent commencement of construction works.

“It’s fair to say that the redesign plans for the park have been controversial but I am hopeful that the new, more accessible space will trump any of the negativity,” he said.

Meanwhile, Green Party councillor Dan Boyle said:

“Opening the park will be good, but I have never liked the reduction of green space proposed.

“It has to be seen with wider development work there on South Main Street and on Grand Parade outside the City Library.

“We badly need to increase the amount of green space to be found in the city centre.”

The project is part of the wider regeneration of the Grand Parade Quarter, which will see a complete renewal of the area around the southern gateway to the medieval city, connecting Grand Parade and a series of historic lanes, streets and Bishop Lucey Park with the south channel of the River Lee and the city centre business core.

Bishop Lucey Park closed to the public in early December to facilitate enabling works. Redevelopment works are expected to be completed in the early part of 2025.

A spokesperson for Cork City Council confirmed that the park is expected to remain closed throughout the duration of the construction works.

Speaking in relation to smaller projects at various parks in the city, the spokesperson said pétanque will be available to play at Tramore Valley Park in early 2024.

“We will install outdoor table tennis tables in Tramore Valley Park and hope to provide one at Gerry O’Sullivan Park in Churchfield as well early in 2024.

“We have installed water drinking taps in a number of parks as part of a healthy living initiative and hope to install more next year, so that every adult and child visiting our parks are encouraged to bring their reusable bottle and get a refill whilst enjoying the amenity,” they added.

The spokesperson also said a ‘Fitstick Walk’ has recently been installed at Tramore Valley Park. Fitstick trails are designed to cater to individuals with mobility challenges and support those on their journey to recovery from illness or injury.

They incorporate rest areas and exercise stations at regular intervals.