Tramore Valley Park

One of the most inaccessible public parks anywhere. It's clear that it's a car first policy with that park by the council.

I was loving the wild grassy hillside with a few paths mowed through it, loads of wild flowers, bees, birds (even saw a pheasant) one day. Now they've cut the grass on the entire hill :mad:

Raconteuse wrote: »

I'd say there are security concerns about the Half Moon Lane access.

People will also start driving down that way and poarking there. The turn onto the South Douglas Road from Half Moon Lane is not exactly suitable for heavy use.

The plants were uprooted at the Douglas pedestrian entrance....just for clarification.

Alyssa Full Abalone wrote: »

That's how meadows work. They need to be cut once a year at this time. That's what makes them work.

I think you'll find that's not correct. One big cut is very poor management of a wildlife meadow. It should be cut in stages throughout the year and managed section by section to continue to provide habitat for animals and insects, many of which are still very active into September. The cuttings should be removed quickly to let the ground breathe and avoid over fertilisation. They've done neither of those things. All the grass cut in one fell swoop is poor management. This has a big impact on local wildlife.

opus wrote: »

This used to be open back in 2015 when the parkrun was being held there but now it's considered dangerous needing a gang of consultants

https://twitter.com/EoinBearla/status/1171105241821044737

Most of the lane has no footpath or cycling facilities. Guaranteed someone would sue if they got hurt accessing the park that way so they must go through the motions of a full consultation on traffic management etc.

namloc1980 wrote: »

I think you'll find that's not correct. One big cut is very poor management of a wildlife meadow. It should be cut in stages throughout the year and managed section by section to continue to provide habitat for animals and insects, many of which are still very active into September. The cuttings should be removed quickly to let the ground breathe and avoid over fertilisation. They've done neither of those things. All the grass cut in one fell swoop is poor management. This has a big impact on local wildlife.

It really depends on what you're trying to achieve, and what plants/species you're trying to encourage, (but I agree with you about just leaving the cut grass in a thick sward,)

What's the craic with actually opening that entrance?
Why is it not just opened?

Pushed out 'til next year Maybe something people in Cork South Central could bring up with the politicians who's sure to be looking for votes in the near future.

Pedestrian entrance to Tramore Valley Park not likely to open in near future

sixpack's little hat wrote: »

There is some work going on near the exercise equipment that just seems to be a path that ends at the side of the link road.

Possibly a pedestrian bridge over to the blackash car park?

Think that was put in while there was works on the side of the south link and looks like it was used for access to that.

There are vague plans for the bridge to Frankfield but as for a timeframe who knows. No plans that I've heard for a bridge to the Black Ash car park. There's already a culvert under the road they could use but they claimed it wouldn't get permission. Strange that as there's already a culvert that's much longer if you take the path to Togher that starts by Harvey Normans.

Agree 100% a park that you have to drive to is terrible planning, given it took years to actually open it one might imagine consideration would have been given to access seeing as there are only three points after all :rolleyes:

mikeecho wrote: »

I've visited the park a few times.

It'll take years before it's something worthwhile.
Look at ballincollig regional park.. it's decades in the making, and it's fantastic.

If you're expecting something fantastic with bridges etc.. you'll be waiting a long time.

But in time.. all in its own good time.

In fairness we're talking about basic access to a public park, nothing fancy. A public park that necessitates having a car to access it from almost every direction is a bit of a failure in my book.

Mefistofelino wrote: »

Is TVP *that* much worse by comparison?

Well... yes, because it's entirely within the city!

And you can't get public transport walk or cycle there without going down the link dual carriageway or out to Douglas.

And the vast majority of people living in the city centre don't own a car.

So, yeah it is THAT much worse alright TBH.

And I say all of that as someone with a car outside the door right now: the current access to Tramore Valley Park is totally and utterly unacceptable.

Ludo wrote: »

What is the issue with getting the bus to Douglas and walking from there? Similar to getting a bus to Half Moon Lane or park and ride and walking there in the future really.
If you are going there by bus, then odds are you are going for a walk or run anyway so getting there via the pathway from Douglas is part of the walk/run.
Really not seeing the issue if you are coming to it from town.

I see what you're saying but to only have only pedestrian/cyclist entrance to a park is crazy. Half moon street is walkable from town, Douglas entrance isn't. People wouldn't be inclined to get a bus to go for a walk/run

The pedestrian bridge over the link wouldn't necessarily be for park and ride people, it would give access to those in the Togher region. The original project had another bridge linking Vernon Mount to this park. This would allow those in the Grange/Frankfield to easily access the park and even commute to work through it