The first phase of Marina Park in Cork’s Marina district is now proposed to open in late 2020. Cllr Kieran McCarthy has welcomed the recent positive response to his question on the City Council floor to the Director of Operations, Valerie O’Sullivan of Cork City Council – that there is now a clearer timeline to have Marina Park, the public park to circulate the new Pairc Uí Chaoimh, in place and open by the end of 2020. The tender assessment process for phase one which is for layout and foundations will be finalized before Christmas according to the Director of Operations.
Commenting Cllr McCarthy noted; “there has been much frustration by locals and officials alike that it has been a difficult tender process. Marina Park will be one of the newest recreational jewels in the crown of amenities to serve areas such as Docklands, Ballinlough, Ballintemple and Blackrock. The Marina and Atlantic Pond are two of the most visited amenities in the city. Both have a long history and have served Corkonians for decades.
“It’s important now that the Marina Park project is kept on track and funding put aside to progress it beyond phase one and onto phase two, which includes a large playground. Marina Park is recreational project I have high up on my priority work list”, noted Cllr Kieran McCarthy.
Independent Cllr Kieran McCarthy has called for an enlarged playground in Ballinlough. The Councillor cited through a motion on Cork City Council’s meeting agenda that large-scale demographic change and younger families moving into the area means that enhancement of playground facilities must be considered.
Cllr McCarthy noted; “The call for a larger playground in Ballinlough is one which has been on my work list for many years. During the economic downturn, items such as playgrounds were not deemed on a priority within the Council’s yearly budgets. Consequently, there has been a large built up demand across the city for more neighbourhood playgrounds”.
“During my canvass in Ballinlough this year I witnessed that in every third or fourth house in the housing estates of Ballinlough are young families just starting off their journey in the area. Ballinlough Swimming Pool Park has a very small playground, which many young parents in the area would like to see extended calls for the enhancement of small playground facilities are heard regularly in the Council. The Council needs to respond to the needs of families and the new City Development next year needs to reflect family needs as well”, noted Cllr McCarthy.
In response to Cllr McCarthy’s motion at the recent South East Local Area Committee, Director of Services in Operations Valerie O’Sullivan wrote that an enhancement of Ballinlough Swimming Pool Playground will be considered for the 2021 Council Budget to be set later next year.