Kilbogget Park running track

Murph_D

Now that this track is upgraded to a high standard and available to the public, can anyone just show up during the public hours? There's a booking system but it seems to be for groups/clubs, not individuals.

Any insight appreciated!

crisco10

I've certainly just jogged on anytime I've gone to use it. Tends to be strange times tho like midweek mornings.

Not sure what evenings are like!

Coomakista01

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058372229/kilbogget-park-running-track

Hey - yes you don't need to do anything in advance, you can just show up and use the track during public hours. It gets booked out by some of local athletics clubs, but you can when that is on the website you linked.

Murph_D

Thanks, I went over there this morning around 9:30 to do a session, only a couple of other runners using it. Brilliant facility to have. Wish we had a ‘just jog on’ public track on the north side!

Murph_D

Actually maybe we do have one on the NS. Whats the story with the Porterstown track? Last time I was out there it seemed to be closed.

jlang

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122689376#Comment_122689376

https://portal.sportskey.com/venues/Porterstown-Recreational-Hub#facility_9073%20.collapse for bookings. Same website but no times block booked for Public Access like Kilbogget. The first thing on registration is a request to upload public liability insurance, so probably not aimed at individuals registering themselves to do a few reps.

Murph_D

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122694620#Comment_122694620

Yes I saw that on website and I agree that booking system is not for individuals because of the Public Liability requirement. I'm guessing that slots not marked as Booked or Unavailable are potentially available for people to just walk on? I suppose I could ring them but will probably just rock up and test the theory one of these days!

jlang

Gate is locked out of training sessions. Can understand that being required, between the insurance/liability question and the risk of damage (to the astro pitch probably more than the track) there's just too much risk.

Murph_D

So Porterstown is not open for walk ons then?

Nuttzz

I did a session on this track last Thursday morning, it was open and there were a number of other walkers and runners on the track.

There is a padlock on the gate that would allow, say a tractor on to cut the football pitch grass, but there is a kissing gate for pedestrians to use which isnt locked at all

Murph_D

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122697596#Comment_122697596

@Nuttzz I may have confused things by asking about another track - are you talking about Kilboggett or Porterstown?

Nuttzz

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122698280#Comment_122698280

Kilboggett

Qwerty27

Porterstown Track is locked for majority of the day. Opens for soccer and athletics training for local clubs in the evening. It’s a pain that’s it’s not utilised and available during the day.

However, if you’re a fit teenager, you can climb the 8ft fence and play ball. Someday, someone will fall or get injured on the fence and then get a big pay-out.

All the local politicians tried to claim credit for it when it opened about 1 months ago, yet its locked up majority of the day. Surely it could be public session for a few hours everyday?

ArmaniJeanss

Seems an anomaly that you can use the playgrounds, paths, basketball courts, outdoor gym equipment etc of the various Fingal parks without public liability insurance - but for some reason this 400M running track in Porterstown Park is different.

I kinda sense that someone has decided that this facility is not for the great unwashed and is to be kept for the 'right people'.

I've started conversing with a few local councillors and the self-titled 'porterstownsportshub' to see if I can find out who/why/how/when this decision was made.

BlueSkyDreams

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122745597#Comment_122745597

Arent most athletics tracks in Dublin only open for club training?

Agree its a shame but I guess the risk of damage to the track isn't worth it and could easily put the track out of service for everyone.

ArmaniJeanss

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122745656#Comment_122745656

I think most tracks have a primary tenant who may or may not be the owner also (ALSAA, Dunboyne running club etc)?
This is different as a publicly funded track. I've no huge problem with there being a booking system, moreso that it seems stacked against the unaffiliated leisure runner. Nothing like this was mentioned during the grand-opening puff-piece spiels about how great it was.

Krusty_Clown

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122745656#Comment_122745656

If Kilbogget (specifically DLR CoCo) can make it public, then other councils should be able to do so also. The public liability issue concerns are gonna be the same for every county council. I'm just back from the track - what a superb facility. Much kudos is due to DLR. Hopefully it survives Halloween unscathed. The old cinder track was always a target for the scrotes.

BlueSkyDreams

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122749483#Comment_122749483

Yeah, its a sad that there is a need to block most of the tracks off in the first place. But until the govt start making people responsible for their actions, I dont see much changing, sadly.

helimachoptor

why they don’t put floodlights on it is beyond me

BlueSkyDreams

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122750250#Comment_122750250

Not sure what difference that wpuld make. They arent botthered about being seen.

Nothing happens to them anyway so it doesn't matter if you are visible when tearing up the place.

helimachoptor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122750276#Comment_122750276

I mean for the runners, my older two are up there on Monday nights, the club has portable lights but, compared to what you see on an astr pitch they’re basically torches

Krusty_Clown

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122750250#Comment_122750250

Likely running costs. I believe (may not be accurate) it costs around €20-€30/hour to light up a pitch at night. Throw in another €10k-€20k to have them fitted. I don't think they're charging clubs to use the track, but maybe they should?

helimachoptor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122750675#Comment_122750675

yep I’m not sure, I think though it was a wasted opportunity on the field, could have made it multipurpose and booked it out at night to help pay it off/generate revenue

Alias G

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122750250#Comment_122750250

There is PP for floodlights to go in. As the evenings creep in the track is still often in use after 7pm and in the dark.

Supercell

My son runs with Cabinteely AC and they are planning to get floodlights in eventually, however it takes time to raise the funds.

They use battery lights to train during winter evenings at the moment (up to 21:00 on Mondays and Wednesdays), its a pity the CC didnt fund floodlights also.

Qwerty27

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122745597#Comment_122745597

Do you make any progress with this? I spoke to the deputy mayor of Fingal no less after a park run over there, asked about making it open for a few hours to general public, siad he'd look into it 🤨

Murph_D

@qwerty27

Did you follow up with the deputy?

ArmaniJeanss

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122870673#Comment_122870673

Couple of councillors (inc one GE candidate) said they'd ask questions and get back to me. None did. An SF canvasser blithely said that everything is a charge and insurance is important- I pointed out I can use almost everything else in the park for free, or a token amount, and no insurance needed.

No reply from the official address either.

The website has been subtlety changed in the last fortnight such that every time slot has €100 against it now.