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Can you train in the polo grounds in the Phoenix park?

  • 31-03-2021 2:06pm
    #1
    teacosy
    Registered Users Posts: 154 ✭✭


    Anyone know what the story is with running in the polo grounds area of the Phoenix park? I overheard a bloke (think he was connected to the polo club) telling a runner they weren’t allowed to train there. But I’ve seen clubs training there all the time?


Comments

  • #2
    average_runner
    Registered Users Posts: 12,844 ✭✭✭✭average_runner


    teacosy wrote: »
    Anyone know what the story is with running in the polo grounds area of the Phoenix park? I overheard a bloke (think he was connected to the polo club) telling a runner they weren’t allowed to train there. But I’ve seen clubs training there all the time?




    Depends on who owns it?


  • #3
    teacosy
    Registered Users Posts: 154 ✭✭teacosy


    average_runner wrote: »
    Depends on who owns it?



    Isn’t it just part of the Park? There’s no fence around it, the public can enter the area, like most other parts of the park.


  • #4
    Hurrache
    Registered Users Posts: 10,146 ✭✭✭✭Hurrache


    It's partially fenced. But nevertheless, unless they were prepping for a match I'd take no noticed of anyone telling me to get off it.


  • #5
    Miklos
    Registered Users Posts: 985 ✭✭✭Miklos


    If there was a fella on a horse with a great big mallet in his hand I’d probably do what he said, but otherwise go nuts.


  • #6
    Shane O' Malley
    Registered Users Posts: 1,373 ✭✭✭Shane O' Malley


    teacosy wrote: »
    Anyone know what the story is with running in the polo grounds area of the Phoenix park? I overheard a bloke (think he was connected to the polo club) telling a runner they weren’t allowed to train there. But I’ve seen clubs training there all the time?

    Hi,

    Answer to your question is generally no (as i have learnt over the years) but it is not a straight yes or now.

    Firstly running on the main part of the polo grounds (the actual playing pitch rather than the sidelines) is not allowed. I believe the polo club have full rights to that area and are doing it to protect the surface).
    The sidelines area is allowed to be used but the polo club (backed up to some degree by the rangers) restrict larger groups. Under Phoenix Park rules groups over 15 must have a permit to operate in the club (commercial or non commercial). That permit usually also requires proof of public liability insurance and in my experience both the permit and the insurance are very difficult to get.
    The polo club have been policing this while also disputing the 15 person limit and trying to stop smaller groups. They will also aggressively ensure you keep within the sidelines

    Have not run there this year yet but last year was a pain and we had to move to other locations. Rangers are fine but the guy from the polo club was a ****.

    When pushing for a permit last year i was told that no new ones were being issued.


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  • #7
    Hurrache
    Registered Users Posts: 10,146 ✭✭✭✭Hurrache


    I'd be a bit sceptical that they don't want people running on a surface on which horses run around on with guys often taking lumps out of the ground with mallets in order to protect it.

    It'll be grand for individuals running up and down it, not really for organised clubs which is understandable. A few years ago the park started cracking down alright on organised groups without permits, usually commercial crossfit/bootcamps.


  • #8
    Stark
    Registered Users Posts: 20,886 ✭✭✭✭Stark


    It was always the case that people weren't officially allowed train there. They turn a blind eye when it's not being actively used but the issue has cropped up a few times over the years.


  • #9
    Shane O' Malley
    Registered Users Posts: 1,373 ✭✭✭Shane O' Malley


    Hurrache wrote: »
    I'd be a bit sceptical that they don't want people running on a surface on which horses run around on with guys often taking lumps out of the ground with mallets in order to protect it.

    It'll be grand for individuals running up and down it, not really for organised clubs which is understandable. A few years ago the park started cracking down alright on organised groups without permits, usually commercial crossfit/bootcamps.

    The polo club really dont want anyone there. It has been going on for years. I remember hearing stories about the Chairman of the club chasing people around with a stick to get them off "his" land. I have certainly had the current groundsman shout at me for being on the wrong side of the sideline.


  • #10
    Murph_D
    Registered Users Posts: 10,414 ✭✭✭✭Murph_D


    Have used many times but never in a group. I seem to remember a sign saying no other sports (apart from polo, I assume) were allowed, but I always ignored it. Used sidelines only, never then pitch itself.


  • #11
    Hurrache
    Registered Users Posts: 10,146 ✭✭✭✭Hurrache


    It's pretty inconsistent so. I used to hang around it a lot, either running the outskirts, which obviously won't be the issue, or played on the ground itself with the kids. I've been on it when there's been functions in the club so it's not like there was nobody around to see.


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  • #12
    RacoonQueen
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 20,364 Mod ✭✭✭✭RacoonQueen


    There is no official rule against it I don't think, but the groundskeeper can be a bit, well....

    Local athletics clubs all use it in summer for interval training, you'd often have 2 or 3 different clubs on it at one time, but I know our coaches always kept yer man sweet, while people from the club have been chased off it / shouted at at non-standard training times while running alone.


  • #13
    MayoSalmon
    Registered Users Posts: 2,240 ✭✭✭MayoSalmon


    Wasn't there a plan to build a track in the park once upon time...near magazine fort?


  • #14
    teacosy
    Registered Users Posts: 154 ✭✭teacosy


    MayoSalmon wrote: »
    Wasn't there a plan to build a track in the park once upon time...near magazine fort?

    I never heard that one. What ever happened to the plan to build the track in porterstown park. Has that happened?


  • #15
    dilallio
    Registered Users Posts: 2,728 ✭✭✭dilallio


    You can run there in pairs if one of you carries 2 coconut halves, simulating the hoofbeats of an imaginary horse :)


  • #16
    jlang
    Registered Users Posts: 1,461 ✭✭✭jlang


    teacosy wrote: »
    I never heard that one. What ever happened to the plan to build the track in porterstown park. Has that happened?
    Still the plan. Pretty sure it's all approved but not sure of the dates or whether Covid has delayed it.


  • #17
    Happytuesdays
    Registered Users Posts: 40 ✭Happytuesdays


    As others have posted previously, as long as you are off the pitch it's fine



  • #18
    Pinoy adventure
    Registered Users Posts: 984 ✭✭✭Pinoy adventure


    You'd think they would open the toilets too the public.there ain't nothing worse than loosing your t shirt or club vest too having a shite around the back of the polo grounds club house



  • #19
    Naked Lepper
    Registered Users Posts: 1,514 ✭✭✭Naked Lepper


    https://boards.ie/discussion/comment/117645090#Comment_117645090

    ugh, hate when that happens



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