‘Parklets will create an oasis’
Ten new parklets will be popping up around Cork city, it has been confirmed.
In early September, a callout was made to business owners, institutions, neighbourhood organisations, and other community-based groups to become a parklet partner.
Cork City Council is providing the funding and installation of each parklet whilst the parklet partner will oversee its day-to-day upkeep and planting.
Working with social enterprise Benchspace, the new parklets will be installed over the next number of weeks at the following locations:
1. Three Piggies, Union Quay
2. Quay Co-op, Sullivan’s Quay
3. Imperial Hotel, South Mall
4. Butter Museum, Shandon, in partnership with Shandon Area Renewal Association
5. Civic Trust House, Pope’s Quay
6. Lavit Gallery, Wandesford Quay
7. Main Street, Ballincollig, in partnership with Ballincollig Tidy Towns
8. Main Street, Douglas, in partnership with Douglas Tidy Towns
9. Crestfield Shopping Centre, Glanmire, in partnership with Glanmire Area Community Association
10. Muskerry Arms, The Square, Blarney
Fearghal Reidy, Director of Strategic and Economic Development in City Hall, told councillors during this week's council meeting that the “initiative was over subscribed” and if the council had more money “we would like to support the other community groups and businesses that expressed an interest in it”.
Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Joe Kavanagh said: “It is wonderful to see such an overwhelmingly positive response following our call for parklet partners, which really highlights the appetite of residents, businesses’ and communities to ‘green’ our city.
“These new parklets will create an oasis that can be enjoyed by young and old right in the heart of our neighbourhoods. I would also like to extend our gratitude to Benchspace and to all the participating traders, community and voluntary groups who have been so supportive of this initiative.”
Funded by the National Transport Authority, under the Government’s stimulus programme, Cork City Council is implementing a suite of initiatives under the Reimagine Cork programme, including improved cycle lanes, pedestrian facilities and the provision of these ten parklets to enhance greening of the city and to improve the attractiveness of the city to pedestrians.