Work has begun on the Liberties’ new park on Cork Street

An artist’s sketch of the new park

City Councillors passed a motion not to dispose of the site in 2013 after local groups and individuals within the area campaigned for the development of the park.

Initial calls for the improvement of the site came from the skating group ‘Skate D8’, who were seeking an area in the inner city that they could use.

A consultation workshop with local members of the community was then set up, where they worked on a vision for the park and what it would have to offer.

The proposed site for the public park is located on Cork Street with frontages also onto Ormond Street and Chamber Street.

The purpose of the park is to address the lack of quality green space and outdoor recreation opportunities within the inner city.

Speaking to The Liberty, a Dublin City Council spokesperson said that “the project is the first major project to be developed as part of the ‘Liberties Greening Strategy’, and also the first purpose built Public Park for the Liberties community.”

They added: “The park is a step forward in addressing the deficit of quality green space and outdoor recreation opportunities in this part of the city. It is one of a series of greening projects that the city council plans to undertake over the next few years to support the Liberties in being a great place to live and work.”

Included in the park will be a playground for children 10-years-old and younger, and a terrace area that will also provide a hang-out space for teenagers.

An allocated area within the park for skating is not in the plans, but the edges between the path and grass will be designed as a raised sculptural feature to accommodate activities such as skating and BMX.

Additional proposals for the park described on the site plans include an outdoor cinema, a market place – both outdoor and covered, along with a Dublin Bike Station.

While the Park design does not include a café kiosk, the terrace in plans is designed to accommodate one in the future.

Local businesses are also in support of the new development. Zoe Ewing Evans, barista of the coffee shop Two Pups on Francis Street, praised the new park.

“The park will be brilliant for the area. I think there’s not enough green space, it would benefit the area hugely and make the Liberties a more desirable place to live and work in.” says Ewing Evans.

The barista also commended Stephen Coyne, the programme coordinator of the Liberties Business Improvement Initiative, who she said has done “tremendous work for the place, and even started improving the Liberties by planting trees around the area.”

The Cork Street park is expected to be ready by the summer.