A system of urban water gardens and wetland areas form part of architects’ plans for Cork’s docklands as part of a €600,000 revamp.
The design concept for the redevelopment of Marina Park and surrounding areas at Páirc Uí Chaoimh is billed as Ireland’s first large urban wetlands and park surrounding a modern sports stadium.
Dutch and Irish landscape architects OKRA and REDscape were announced yesterday as winners of Cork City Council’s design contract for the 35-hectare project, two weeks after councillors voted to rezone 6.8 acres of public amenity space for use as sports grounds.
Pat Ledwidge, director of services, strategic planning and economic development at the council, said the work would “enhance the match-day experience for all”.
“This proposed regional park will achieve a number of objectives for the city, including the provision of a world-class modern urban park facility for the citizens of Cork, while facilitating the upgrading of Páirc Uí Chaoimh into a high-quality modern sports centre.”
Designers said dynamic landscapes and ecosystems, including water gardens and watercourses, would recycle storm water from adjacent docklands.
The team will liaise with the GAA on it plans for the stadium itself, and the work will be carried out on a phased basis over a number of years.
Last month local residents vowed to pursue their objections to GAA plans for Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
They argue that 6.8 acres of the land to be used by the GAA was purchased by Cork City Council for public use.
The land was acquired by CPO from the Munster Agricultural Society to form part of the proposed Marina Park – a massive sub-regional park included in the city’s 2008 South Docks Local Area Plan.