New city park to be officially opened

The first phase of Cork city’s new park will be officially opened this weekend with fun for all family expected.

To celebrate the official opening of Marina Park, there will be a sustainability-themed morning of acrobatics, sport, play, music and fun for all the family from 10-1pm with DJ Stevie G acting as MC.

Marina Park will be six times larger than Fitzgerald’s Park and equivalent in size to Dublin Zoo when phase two is completed.

The 146 hectare Cork City Docklands is the largest regeneration project in the country and the 70 acre Marina Park will be its playground and a haven for biodiversity.

An Taoiseach Micheál Martin will officially open phase one of the park, in the heart of Cork City Docklands, on Sunday 22 May at 11am.

Children can take part in Circus Factory’s Super StarCircus Show and Circus Disco while Stevie G will also run an Everybody Dance event, an inclusive dance experience which caters for adults and children who are often excluded from events including those with additional needs.

Cork GAA are also running a Rebel Óg underage blitz at the 4G all-weather pitch in front of Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Cork Healthy Cities’ Playful Paradigm will also be at Marina Park with their outdoor game pack. There will also be face painting, chalk art, balloon modelling and hot food vendors.

As part of the official opening ceremony, An Taoiseach will plant an Irish native tree while pupils from the Green School Committees in nearby Ballintemple National School, St Michael’s Church of Ireland National School and Scoil na Croise Naofa will also plant pollinator plants.

Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Colm Kelleher said: “There is so much to look forward to in this part of the city. When fully developed, Marina Park will be a new eco regional park for the people of Cork and beyond.

“And the proposed development of connecting active travel links from the city centre along the Marina Promenade and eastwards to Blackrock Castle and the Blackrock – Passage West Greenway presents an irresistible proposition for walkers, runners and cyclists”.

Cork City Council’s Chief Exeutive Ann Doherty said: “We believe that by developing a regional eco park first, Cork City Council is enabling Cork City Docklands to fulfil its potential as one of the best places in Europe to live and work. The 146 hectare docklands will provide homes for over 20,000 and more than 25,000 jobs over the next 20 years with best in class transportation, public spaces, schools, medical and social services, restaurants, hotels and recreation facilities. This project will grow the heart of Cork city.”

Families are encouraged to walk, cycle or to take the 202 or 202A bus to Ballintemple.

However, if driving, visitors are being asked to use the public the car park between Shandon and Lee Rowing clubs.