Skate park and greenway sought near Kildare-based GAA club and business park

The provision of a brand-new skate park, as well as a greenway, has been sought near both a Kildare-based GAA club and a business park.

The request was heard at the latest Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District meeting, which took place on Wednesday, October 21 last.

Fine Gael Cllr Tracey O’Dwyer raised the topic approximately halfway through the meeting, when she motioned for Kildare County Council (KCC) to ‘develop an urban design framework to include a skate park and greenway on the council owned land to the rear of Kilcullen GAA and Kilcullen Business Park’.

Her motion was seconded by her party colleague, Cllr Peggy O’Dwyer.

In response to Cllr Tracey O’Dwyer’s motion, KCC noted: “Under the Kildare County Development Plan 2023-2029, Variation No 1 Kilcullen Settlement Plan, the lands in question are zoned [for] industry and warehousing.

“Vehicular access to this area of land is solely through Kilcullen Business Campus.”

‘NO PUBLIC PATHWAYS’

However, KCC also emphasised: “There are no public pathway links and the lands back onto private housing and the Kilcullen GAA complex.

“Therefore, these lands are not currently under consideration for recreational and amenity development, and as such, an urban design framework for a skate park and greenway would not be considered a feasible project at this time.”

Following this, Cllr Tracey O’Dwyer admitted to KCC that she was ‘disappointed’ with the response.

“It would have been the ideal location,” she added.

Cllr Tracey O’Dwyer also told KCC that she will examine the matter further offline.

This is not the first time that Cllr Tracey O’Dwyer has expressed interest in securing a skate park for Kilcullen — back in 2023, she called on KCC to conduct a feasability study in relation to a proposed skate park or pump-bike track for Kilcullen.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.