Results of Survey of users of the
Liffeyside Amenity Area
Liffeyside Amenity Area
The Tidy Towns Association carried out a survey in the Park through the months of February / March 2005, and the following gives a flavour of the replies given to our questions.
Q.1 How Often Do You Use The Park?
Approximately 74% of those surveyed used the park at least once weekly, with a significant number of people (39%) using the park on a daily basis. While some people were new to Newbridge, many others indicated that they use it more during school holidays and when the weather was nice during the Summer Months.
Q.2 Why Do You Use the Park?
The vast majority (58%) use the facility for exercise, to relax, and as a base for their sports - canoeing and fishing. Walking the family dog was the reason cited by 28% of respondents, while 14% like to bring their family out for some fresh air and an occasional picnic.
Q.3 Do You find the Park Easily Accessible?
Conscious that people need to be able to access the park and its facilities we asked whether the park was easily accessible, and 93% of respondents replied that it was. However the following issues were raised:
The lack of Car Parking spaces near the park made it difficult if you have young Family, and a cycle parking area should be considered. Consider positioning a “Zebra” crossing point at the “Watering Gates”.
The "Zebra Crossing" was positioned at the Watering Gates during the major road reconstruction work carried out during 2006. Two disabled carparking places have been developed just across the road from the watering gates.
The other major issue was the condition of the paths in the Strand Area, a significant number of respondents noted that they were in need of repair, levelling, widening in some areas. It was also suggested that railings were needed at some steeper riverbank areas.
The paths in the Strand were replaced and totally resurfaced in 2007, all paths are now a minimum of 1.5 metres wide. However there remains an area to be replaced extending from the Watering Gates to the Strand. As funds become available we understand that this area will be addressed. Post & Rail fencing have since been erected along the steepest riverbank areas along parts of this route.
Q.4 How Would you rate Cleanliness of the Park?
In all 94% of respondents were pleased with the cleanliness’ of the park, with 84% stating that the park's cleanliness was good / very good or excellent. Again there were some issues raised on the issue of park cleanliness:
"Dog Fouling" was raised as an issue particularly among family groups, and many respondents noted that the bins provided were not being used.
Litter deposited by persons using the park for drinking "parties" was also raised as an issue.
Q.5 Who Maintains Park?
In all 71% of respondents stated that in their opinion Kildare County Council maintained the park, just 29% were aware that the park was maintained by Newbridge Tidy Towns Association, who sponsor the Ballymany FÁS scheme through which Mr. Seamus Redmond and Mr. Tony McEvoy are employed.
Both Seamus & Tony do a marvellous job in maintaining the park for the people of Newbridge, and we thank them for their continuing efforts in this regard. We also acknowledge the assistance provided by Mr. Peter Kennedy of the Department of Justice, Prohibition and Welfare Services who helps maintain the park particularly at the weekends, and Mr. John Ryan along with the volunteer members of the Tidy Towns Association.
So what improvements are needed according to those surveyed?
The main improvements needed were the repair of the public paths in the Strand Area, 20% of respondents stated that the current paths were “very narrow” in places and should be widened to accommodate persons with wheelchairs and children’s buggies etc.
The provision of additional seating in the park generally was also raised by 20% of respondents as an issue to be addressed.
A number of respondents were hoping that additional wildflowers and shrubs would be introduced, and that a nature trail or wildlife area be further developed and signposted in the park.
In all 12% of those surveyed wished to have a children’s playground incorporated into the park, given that of those surveyed 14% use the park for family outings this appears to be a significant issue with a number of park users.
A number of respondents requested that the park walking areas be extended further down the riverbank, and that the public lighting installed in the section of the park along the Athgarvan Road should be extended down the strand. The entrance to the Athgarvan Road at Ryston was an issue of concern to some users.
A number of park users suggested that some trees were required on the opposite side of the riverbank, and some concern was expressed at the condition of the large Beech Tree at the Ryston entrance.
There were two negative issue raised by a significant number of respondents:
In all 8% of respondents were concerned by the apparent level of anti-social behaviour which occurs during the late evening, those surveyed suggested that much of this was alcohol related, and needed to be addressed in the form of a bye-law, and positive action on behalf of the authorities.
Of those surveyed 7% were concerned at the level of Dog Fouling in the park, particularly along the paths and in the areas where they would consider it “safe” for their children to play.
Wildflowers in Newbridge
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Liffeyside Park Survey
- Liffeyside Amenity Area
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Upgrading the Park
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Park Bye-laws
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Enjoying the Liffeyside Park
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Photo Gallery
