Long-promised €9m Cherry Orchard Park renewal heading toward Part 8 planning
The long-anticipated €9 million Cherry Orchard Park Renewal Project is closer than ever to reality.
This transformative project is heading towards its Part 8 planning stage in early July and aims to completely reinvent the eight-hectare green space into a thriving public realm centrepiece. The redevelopment comes at a time of expansion for the local area, with a need to accommodate infrastructure for 1,100 new homes and a population growth of over 2,000 incoming people.
At Wednesday’s South Central Area Committee, representatives were briefed by Suzanne O'Connell, Senior Executive Landscape Architect & Parks Officer, who outlined the timeline for the project. While funding has yet to be secured, for the project to proceed workers must be onsite by September 2027, with anticipated completion in early 2029.
The redesign is being built around five pillars designed to cater to all age groups, turning plain grass fields into a vibrant community hub. Sports are at the heart of the project, with a 400-metre running track and one-kilometre loop catering to serious runners and casual walkers alike.
The plans also include high-quality grass and all-weather pitches, inclusive play areas for toddlers and teenagers, an outdoor amphitheatre for community events, as well as ecological additions of up to 500 new native trees boosting local biodiversity.
Ms O'Connell noted that while the neighbourhood is known for active community groups, she said this is often regulated to inside the community centre and there’s a need for a space like this. “There is a feeling that there isn't that public realm centrepiece to match the community infrastructure. This park is about making visible within the public realm all that energy and creating a central gathering space."
With 68% of Cherry Orchard’s population being under the age of 40, the redesign of the park aims to overcome “tired infrastructure" and combat anti-social behaviour. Although the park comes to life during major events like the Ballyfermot Cherry Orchard Arts Festival, the council wishes to turn it into a vibrant community hub year round.
Current problems include unauthorised access by scramblers and vehicles, horse grazing damage, illegal dumping in the park's swale, and restrictive entrances that block wheelchair users, cyclists, and prams. The design plans, which are subject to funding approval, aim to address these issues and more under five main categories:
The plan was widely welcomed by local councillors, who commended the ambition of the project and its potential to transform the area. Independent Cllr Vincent Jackson said, “if ever an area deserves their day in the sun, it’s Cherry Orchard”. He stressed the park renewal pairs perfectly with wider plans for a new village centre and retail spaces and that it’s important to prioritise infrastructure alongside housing .
Sinn Féin Cllr Daithí Doolan said it’s incredible to finally have a timeline for the project and that the high-level of consultation gives the public real ownership over the park. Detailed consultation included the distribution of 4,100 leaflets for an information open day as well targeted consultation with local groups, including teenagers.
But, Cllr Doolan called on the council to reinstate the astro pitch that was removed last year. Although the project has provisions for pitches, he warned the community cannot wait several years without an astro pitch and asked that temporary measures be at least considered.
Green Party Cllr Ray Cunningham commended the ambition of the project, particularly the running track, which he said groups across the city have been asking for more of. He said the level of consultation with locals will help ensure the preservation of the park for generations to come. When enquiring about funding ringfenced for the project, Ms O'Connell confirmed the council has already set aside €750,000 in addition to their current funding request from central government.
The next steps involve the project team is finalising technical feedback before officially launching the Part 8 planning process in early July. Dublin City Council is seeking maximum funding of €9 million for the development, with hopes to have a clear roadmap by September or October. If funding is confirmed, one condition is workers must be on-site by September 2027.
This content is funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme