Community-led initiative needed to create a dog park in Clonmel

Clonmel Borough District would support and assist any community group within a residential estate that wishes to deliver a dog park through the Community Recognition Fund.

This was stated by District Engineer Gillian Flynn in a written report to a meeting of Clonmel Borough District.

She added that the most feasible approach to creating a gated dog area in Clonmel would be a community-led initiative within a residential estate that has adequate green space available.

Ms Flynn was replying to a request from Cllr Richie Molloy, who suggested that the Borough District would consider installing a fully gated, secure area at Denis Burke Park where people could let their dogs off the leash to run, play and socialise with other dogs.

He said he had been approached by dog owners about this.

Gillian Flynn said that the Borough District was open to the development of a dog park, but didn’t believe there was a suitable location within the existing parks and open spaces.

The options considered were the green area east of the Clonmel Wastewater Treatment Plant, Mulcahy Park and Denis Burke Park.

As part of their assessment, the council had reviewed the delivery of the dog park in Thurles, which was completed through the Community Recognition Fund. This project is located within a housing estate and is clearly visible to the local community, who were instrumental in delivering it, and continue to maintain the facility.

The District Engineer said that installing a dog park in one of the larger public parks in Clonmel, such as Mulcahy Park or Denis Burke Park, would create ongoing maintenance challenges due to the lack of direct community supervision.

“In contrast, the success of the Thurles project highlights the importance of community oversight, ownership and responsibility.

“The Thurles Dog Park cost approximately €18,000, of which €14,000 was funded through the Community Recognition Fund. Since its completion, the local community has further invested in upgrades, including the installation of an astro turf surface”.

Ms Flynn said that any similar project in Clonmel would require the same level of supervision, upkeep and community commitment to ensure its long-term success.