#EastWall Matters – May 2024

RUSSELL AVENUE

PLAYGROUND IMPROVEMENT SCHEME – UPDATE

Dear Resident,

As YOUR local City Councillor, I wanted to keep you up to date on the planned enhancement of the Russell Avenue playground.

Since the last consultative session in the Sean O’Casey Community Centre at the beginning of April, I have been liaising with the Parks Department Landscape Architect urging the Council to bring forward the finalised designs so that Councillors can approve the initiative and to allow works to start as quickly as possible.

I am pleased to report to you that the Dublin Central Area Committee of Dublin City Council has now formally approved the design and layout of the upgraded playground, which incorporates the football pitch, as well a sheltered space for events to be held, natural play areas, 1.5m clear stem trees spaced to allow for visibility into the playground and new entry points and traffic calming measures. The finalised design is exempt from a Part 8 planning application, thereby allowing the Council to approve detailed drawings and begin the process of selecting a contractor to undertake the works.

I have detailed below the next steps in the delivery of this project and a copy of the final designs approved in City Hall this week.

Best Wishes,

Ray

NOW THAT THE DESIGN HAS BEEN FINALISED, WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS TO BE UNDERTAKEN TO DELIVER THIS PROJECT?

1. Internal Dublin City Council working group will meet over the next month to finalise detailed drawings and prepare the tender documents to select a contractor.

2. A comprehensive traffic analysis will be undertaken, including a Road Safety Audit.

3. Initiate the procurement process to select and approve a contractor to be completed by late summer.

4. Contractor to begin work on-site later this year, most likely in the Autumn.

HOW HAVE I WORKED TO ADVANCE THE RUSSELL AVENUE PLAYGROUND IMPROVEMENT PROJECT?

Throughout the course of the last five years, as YOUR local City Councillor, I have worked to:

• Update you on plans for the upgrade of the Russell Avenue playground.

• Advocate on your behalf for Dublin City Council to undertaken community consultation and engagement.

• Fight for the retention of the existing footpath pitch at the Central Area Committee.

• Help secure Government funding to enable this project to proceed.

• Deliver a finalised design that incorporates the wishes of Russell Avenue and East Wall households and families.

For a copy of the full report shared with City Councillors, this week, please WhatsApp me on 086- 847 1720 with your Name and Email Address.