Chamber Street Park Campaign

For the past 18 months I have been very heavily involved in the campaign to establish a park on the former site of the Chamber street flats. I identified a need for green space in Dubllin 8 as compared to other areas within the city we suffer from an unacceptable lack of green space and parks for a young population. 

The Chamber St Site off Cork St had been lying derelict since the flats were knocked down and would provide the perfect area for a park. Under the Liberties Local Area Plan the land is zoned Z4 ‘to provide for and improve mixed service facilities’ but most of the provisions of this plan haven’t been implemented due to lack of funding.

Initially, Dublin City Council wanted to sell on the site for further development but though a community campaign and lobbying of Councillors we were able to make the case for a park on the site which the City Manager has since agreed to do.

Creating a park on this site also fits in with our develop plan policies to seek additional green space in areas deficient and in support the the provision of community gardens/allotments/local markets/pocket parks, where feasible and in particular as temporary uses on vacant or under-utilised or derelict sites in the city

In April 2014 the area committee saw a presentation on a greening strategy for Dublin 8, which includes the provision of a park at Weaver Square and Bridgefoot Street. The plan has number of elements, including upgrading and greening Newmarket Square which in conjunction with the development of a park has the potential to transform the Lower Cork Street area.

Example of what the Weaver Park could look like

What Newmarket Square could look like in a number of years 

Next steps

The €75,000 that I negotiated for recreation facilities in Dublin 8 has been allocated to the capital account for the development of a park on this site. We are in negotiation for more money to develop the park which I expect to happen shortly. Following this we will then move to re-zone and submit the development of a park to planning which includes a community consultation process.

I am a strong advocate for green spaces in Dublin 8 and though my work on Dublin City Council have delivered for the community in this regard. 

Additional Information: What other Cities are doing?

LA- What’s one way a city can fight blight, add green space, and increase property values at the same time? Build parks- LA used pocket parks to regenerate areas http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/cities/los-angeles-turns-foreclosed-homes-into-pocket-parks/1268

London- GLA have agreed to improve London’s green spaces and public realm, including the commitment to establish 100  pocket parks, and to progress the All London Green Grid