Local campaigner calls for more green spaces in the Liberties

Following years of campaigning and an ‘extensive design process’ a patch on Bridgefoot Street was turned into a grassland from wasteland – but residents have called for more to be done.  

Brigdefoot Street Park is due to open in January 2022, following a long community campaign for green spaces in the area.  

The park was scheduled to open in the spring of this year but due to pandemic restrictions the opening date was pushed back. 

According to Dublin City Council (DCC), it is one of two flagship parks proposed under the Liberties Greening Strategy.

“The management of Dublin City Council don’t seem to care about younger generations, they just build, build, build. Where is their conscience?” 

TONY O’ROURKE, LOCAL CAMPAIGNER, AND CAFE OWNER

Tony O’Rourke, a local café owner, has campaigned for the park since its inception. He believes there is a lack of amenities and green spaces in the area. 

“The amount of green spaces and sporting areas in the Liberties is zilch,” he said.  

The Liberties Greening Strategy was unveiled in 2015 and recognised a deficit in green spaces and infrastructure. It aimed to provide on-going investment that would deliver new parks, amenities, and an improved public realm to the Liberties. 

The park will include green open space, allotments and community gardens, a potential café space, a terraced performance area, and a playground.  

But O’Rourke says the Liberties have been forgotten by local authorities with 16 years of setbacks and cancellations leaving locals feeling disillusioned.  

“The management of Dublin City Council don’t seem to care about younger generations, they just build, build, build. Where is their conscience?” O’Rourke asked.  

It is estimated that DCC has invested €15m into such greening projects in Dublin 8, with more developments scheduled.  

Desmond Kernan, TU Dublin lecturer and local youth worker, says that the DCC is doing some good work with the Liberties Greening Strategy.  

“There is a serious lack of usable green spaces in the area but it is improving.

“The park will be a positive place for young people, to meet, hang out and play.  Trees, greenery, wildlife, open spaces can only be a positive for young people. A space away from the traffic, they can call their own,” Kernan said.