SCA Submission re Town Park to FCC

….the proposed development of the Skerries town park as described in the plan is very welcome and will go a long way to making this park an amenity that the entire community can enjoy and be proud of.

This is the central message of our submission to Fingal County Council regarding the proposed redevelopment of the green heart of Skerries, the Town park.

In it, we are supporting the separate submissions made by our committees, Skerries Cycling Initiative, Skerries Tidy Towns, Sustainable Skerries and Skatepark Committee, and making some points of our own.

Here is a quick summary of our suggestions:

  • the provision of improved lighting around the Mill car park and the road leading to it.
  • an illuminated loop path for wintertime running
  • an increased provision of safe routes of travel for persons walking and cycling, using wheelchairs and other mobility vehicles including cycles adapted for persons with disabilities
  • the possible provision of a skatepark in the town park should be explored as part of this development
  • an area could be allocated for the provision of a community food garden, possibly by the bowling green for ease of access
  • inclusion of a fully equipped theatre and performance space within any extension of the Community Centre, or to explore possible provision for a free standing theatre and performance space, subject to planning permission, within the confines of the park

If you would like to read the full, much more detailed submission, sent to Fingal County Council by our Vice Chair, Geoff McEvoy, on 27 January 2015, just click on the link to it below.

SCA Submission Town Park January 2015

Skerries Town Park Masterplan

Age Friendly Award for Skerries Group

Skerries is a good place for people of all ages. This is the result of the work of many – including members of a Skerries initiative, who recently received an Age Friendly award.

In this picture:   Back row: Brendan McNicholas 3rd Officer Dublin Fire Brigade; Eithne Mallin – FCC; Louise Edmonds – FCC; Brendan Sherlock – Skerries Community Association; AnnMarie Farrelly – FCC; Nora Owen – Chair Fingal Age Friendly Alliance; Front row: Cllr Mags Murray – Mayor of Fingal; Martin Russell – Skerries Community Association; Mary Conway Skerries Community Association; Bob McAlpine – Vice Chair Fingal Senior Citizen’s Forum Photo: Leo “George” Devitt

The picture of the Skerries / Fingal contingent at the awards ceremony gives you a good idea of the level of cooperation which made this possible. One of the results of their work is the current redevelopment of our Town Park with particular emphasis on making it an environment that is “friendly” to people of all ages.

Age Friendly Skerries is a committee of Skerries Community Association, and more initiatives are underway – keep your eyes open for updates!

The purpose of the first Age Friendly Recognition and Achievement Awards Ceremony, held in Cavan on 20 January 2015 was “to showcase the wonderful age-friendly initiatives from around the country that have contributed to making Ireland a great place to grow old.”

Age Friendly Environment Award SKERRIES

Master of Ceremonies and President Elect of the Gaelic Athletic Association, Aogán O’Fearghaill said:

It is so inspiring to be here today and hear about all the wonderful work going on around the country to make Ireland make our communities more age friendly. The benefits of an age friendly approach will be felt by all members of the community, not just older people. Working towards the goal of age friendliness makes for more cohesive communities.

Other projects chosen for recognition were:

  • Age Friendly Transport Award – Two Partnership Approaches for Hospital Appointments in Co Meath
  • Age Friendly Active and Healthy Ageing Award – Intergenerational and Creative Development at MacAuley Place, Naas, Kildare
  • Age Friendly Business Award – Cavan Age Friendly Business Recognition Scheme
  • Age Friendly Safety and Security Award – Foxford Safety and Security Project
  • Age Friendly Communication Award – Kilkenny Age Friendly Communication Plan
  • Age Friendly Community Innovation Award – Cultaca Supporting Older People, Dundalk

See also the Age Friendly Ireland website. 

2009 Cycling Study

In 2009, the final report of the Malahide & Skerries Cycling Study was published.

Also known as “The Sustrans Study,” it contains many suggestions for Skerries and was based on extensive research and consultation. Skerries Cycling Initiative (one of the committees of Skerries Community Association) was crucially involved in it.

SCI members and a consultant

We are making it available here, so it can be used for future plans.

It is divided into four parts; part 4 contains the Skerries recommendations.

Click on the headings below to open each part in a new tab. Warning – it does not display evenly, you need to change your zoom settings; at first it might just show grey, zoom right out. Alternatively, download it to your computer and open it in Acrobat Reader. (For Windows computers, right-click on the link and select “Save Link As”.)

Sustrans Study cover

Part 1 – p. 1 to 32

Part 2 – p. 33 to 42

Part 3 – p. 43 to 66

Part 4 – from p. 67

Sustrans Contents part 1 Sustrans Contents part 2

 

 

Speed Limits – Skerries Cycling Initiative Draft Proposal

As part of a review of vehicle speeds in housing estates Fingal County Council has invited members of the public to submit their views, by 22 January about the adequacy of the speed limits in their local area.
Speed Consultation FCC
Skerries Cycling Initiative  (SCI) has prepared a draft submission. It is linked to below.
Briefly, we are in favour of 30km/h in residential areas as it would improve safety for all and would encourage more people to walk and cycle around the town.
SCI would welcome any comments and suggestions on the draft before it is forwarded to the Council.
Please email comments to cycling@skerriesca.com
Click on the link below to open the full draft submission.
hard and fast facts