Bushy Park:

Landscape Masterplan and Management & Development Plan

Project Model

STAGE 1

Professional Evaluation & Public consultation

Comparator Park Survey

Herbert Park, Dublin

Rhein Park, Cologne

Park Letna, Prague

Survey Responses

FACE TO FACE QUESTIONNAIRES 440

POSTAL QUESTIONNAIRES:DUBLIN CITY – 500 SOUTH DUBLIN – 500LOCAL SCHOOLS – 250 SPORT CLUBS – 350 TOTAL POSTAL RETURNED - 520 = 32%

GRAND TOTAL RESPONDENT POPULATION = 960

Survey Highlights

• ‘The current perception of the quality of Bushy Park is ‘good’ according to all survey groups’

• 55% of all respondents visit the park with family members

• Two thirds of all respondents use Bushy Park more than once per week, and nearly a quarter of those use it daily during their peak season of usage

• 58% of visitors & users drive to the park

• The Rathdown Avenue & Templeogue Rd entrances cater for 83% of those that arrive by car

Survey Highlights

• Leisure walking is easily the most popular pursuit undertaken in Bushy Park

• Local residents tend to prefer passive pursuits and passive areas of the park (woodland, duck pond) compared to other park users who prefer the grassed areas and more active sports

• Dogs, vandalism, security and lack of public toilets were the problematic issues raised most frequently by all users

• Improvements to sports facilities, playground and toilets were the most common requests

Theme Development

Theme 1 Circulation & Access;Theme 2 Sports Facilities;Theme 3 Park Amenities;Theme 4 Play facilities;Theme 5 Biodiversity;Theme 6 Safety & Passive Surveillance.

Public Design Workshop

Potential Solutionsa) Create generous new entrance directly opposite Dodder River

Bridgeb) Provide safe crossings across Springfield Avenuec) Provide additional bridges and/or widen the existing oned) Improve visual & physical permeability plus perceived safety

through woodlande) Create a wide, open thoroughfare from Dodder River to

upper terrace

IssuePoor access from south of the park

Reasons1. Too many barriers to south –Road, River, Embankment ,

woodland2. Very limited car parking3. The number & location of access gates is inadequate4. No bicycle parking facilities at park perimeter

?

STAGE 2

Design & Management Solutions

Management & Development Objectives

1. CIRCULATION & ACCESS

1.1 Improve access and permeability to the southern park boundary

1.2 Improve circulation within the park

PARKING

1.3 Rationalise parking along Rathdown Avenue

1.4 Provide parking facilities at Southern Park Boundary

1.5 Promote alternative forms of transport to the Park

2. SPORTS FACILITIES

2.1 Improve sports change and toilet facilities within the Park

2.2 Improve function and appearance of sport courts area

2.3 Improve field sport facilities

2.4 Provide new facilities for individual sport activities

Management & Development Objectives

3. PARK AMENITIES

3.1 Improve usability and enjoyment of Park amenities

4. PLAY FACILITIES

4.1 Extend and improve existing play areas

4.2 Provide new facilities for sports play

5. SAFETY AND PASSIVE SURVEILLANCE

5.1 Increase clear zones adjacent to paths and improve visibility to enclosed areas

6. Biodiversity

6.1 Enhance biodiversity in accordance with the Bushy Park Biodiversity Action Plan, particularly in woodland and pond areas

masterplan

Key interventions – Rathdown Avenue car parking

90° car parking introduced alongRathdown Avenue park boundary

Key interventions – Sports Court Area

Sports court area re-organised and enhanced:•Tennis courts reduced in number and improved in quality•All weather, flexible use courts provided for Sports play, netball, basketball & kickabout football.•Viewing and sound barrier mound installed•Thoroughfare paths & Amenity tree planting introduced

Key interventions – New bridge & Universal Access Route

•New car park proposed for southern bank of River Dodder

•New bridge proposed over River Dodder into the park

•4m wide – wheel chair accessible, pedestrian and cycle

path from the southern to northern boundary of the park

Key interventions – Punctuation of Dodder Wall

•Sections of the existing Dodder wall punctuated and replaced by ornamental railing to improve passive surveillance and biodiversity in woodland & river corridor

•New access gate into park at the northern end of the existing footbridge

Key interventions – Extend playground into woodland

•Extend existing playground into adjacent woodland and introduce adventure style play equipment for older children

•Improve existing play facility for younger children

•Incorporate adult viewing and picnic area adjacent to play ground

Development Project Priority Matrix

Key Development Project Priority Matrix

Nr° Development Project

(subject to funding)

Strategic Importance

(low – high)

Unit/ item - estimated cost per unit/ item ex VAT*

Disruption to Park Use

major – minor/ localised – general / duration

Circulation, Access & Parking

1New pedestrian & cycle bridge leading at grade directly into Bushy Park.

high item major localised 28 weeks

2New designated pedestrian crossing across Springfield Avenue.

high1No

Non contract itemminor outside park boundary 1 week

3New entrance gate in boundary wall opposite existing Dodder bridge.

high item minor localised 1 week

4Woodland path hierarchy established and path surfaces improved.

low

500lm

Maintenance/

Non contract item

medium localised 3 weeks

5Steps to Universal Access Route to Dodder walk.

high 30m2 x €300 minor localised 2 weeks

6

New 3m wide universal North- South Route through the park for pedestrians, cyclists and people with disabilities fromRathdown Avenue to Springfield Avenue.

high 900m2 x €75.00 major general 8 weeks

7New 2m wide East- West footpath connection alongside southern boundary of Park Depot.

low 400m2 x €75.00 medium general 4 weeks

8Drop-off zone at main park entrance atRathdown Avenue.

high1No

Non contract itemminor outside park boundary 1 week

9123No new 90° car parking spaces alongside park side of the road to replace existing parallel parking on both sides.

high 3500m2 x €100.00 majoroutside park boundary but likely

disruption to park access 16 weeks

10New 55 space car park at the Southern Park boundary adjacent to the purpose pedestrian bridge.

high 3000m2 x €80.00 minor outside park boundary 12 weeks

Total Order of Magnitude Costfor circulation, Access & Parking

€1,100,000

Development Project Priority Matrix cont.

Nr° Development Project

(subject to funding)

Strategic Importance

(low – high)

Unit/ item - estimated cost per unit/ item ex VAT*

Disruption to Park Use

major – minor/ localised – general / duration

SPORTS FACILITIES

11

Upgrading of the existing building with new toilets and change facilities. Removal of existing derelict toilet building to south of play pitches lawn.

high item medium localised 12 weeks

12

Alternative long term scenario of a multi-purpose pavilion building to provide toilets, cafe, sports change, classroom/meeting room, park administration and management constructed to exemplary low energy standards.

low item major general 56 weeks

13Sport play facility incorporating goals and basketball shoot for 8 - 14 yr olds.

medium 1000m2 x €50.00 medium localised 6 weeks

14

Upgrading of reduced number of Tennis courts with new surface materials and fencing. A new landscaped zone is created between the courts andRathdown Avenue.

medium 4000m2 x €75.00 medium localised 12weeks

15New mound between tennis courts and skate park acting as visual and sound barrier.

medium 1500m3 x €50.00 medium localised 2weeks

16Upgraded Boules and petanque area with perimeter board and new seating.

medium 1000m2 x €5.00 minor localised 3weeks

17Provision of a multipurpose court suitable for netball and other sports.

medium 1000m2x €100.00 medium localised 12 weeks

18Sub- surface drainage system for all pitches with runoff discharged remotely.

high 8No x 25,000.00 major general 12 weeks

19New trim trail provided along ‘Primary’Woodland path.

low 15No x €2300.00 minor localised 1 week

20Provision of a three- lane dedicated sprint training track parallel to main footpath

low 450m2 x €100.00 medium localised 3 weeks

21Provision of a series of ‘distance marked’running loops.

low 15No signs x €600.00 minor localised 8 weeks

Total Order of Magnitude Cost for Sports Facilities

€2,700,000

Development Project Priority Matrix cont.

Nr° Development Project

(subject to funding)

Strategic Importance

(low – high)

Unit/ item - estimated cost per unit/ item ex VAT*

Disruption to Park Use

major – minor/ localised – general / duration

PARK AMENITIES

22Park band stand structure removed and replaced with new stage and gravel surround

medium 450m2 x €75.00 medium localised 3 weeks

23New informal seating incorporated

into the slopes facing the concert stage.

low 20No x €600 minor localised 2 weeks

24New tall sculpture at path junction and on axis with Bushy House.

low 1 Item minor localised 1 week

25Creation of a viewing axis with tree planting to frame view to Bushy Park House.

low 10No trees x €500 minor localised 1 week

26Additional litter bins at and bicycle

stands at park entrance.medium

10No bins/ 5No multiple bicycle stands

Non contract item

minor localised 1 week

27Additional dog litter bins throughout park.

medium5No dog litter bins

Non contract itemminor localised 1 week

28Provision of new fenced ‘dog off Leash zone’.

medium220lm post and wire fence

Non contract itemminor localised 2 weeks

Total Order of Magnitude Costfor Park Amenities

€170,000

Development Project Priority Matrix cont.

Nr° Development Project

(subject to funding)

Strategic Importance

(low – high)

Unit/ item - estimated cost per unit/ item ex VAT*

Disruption to Park Use

major – minor/ localised – general / duration

PLAY FACILITIES

29Renovated play area combining sensory, imaginative and adventure style play equipment (4-8yr old).

medium 800m2 x €15.00 medium localised ongoing

30New informal adventure style playground extended into woodland (8 – 14yr old).

medium items medium localised ongoing

31New family picnic area overlooking play area.

medium 1800m2 x €15.00 medium localised ongoing

Total Order of Magnitude Costfor Play Facilities

€400,000

Development Project Priority Matrix cont.

Nr° Development Project

(subject to funding)

Strategic Importance

(low – high)

Unit/ item - estimated cost per unit/ item ex VAT*

Disruption to Park Use

major – minor/ localised – general / duration

SAFETY AND PASSIVE SURVEILLANCE MEASURES

32

Removal of 10m sections of ‘Woodland/Dodder wall’ at regular spacing and replacement with ornamental railing to open views, improve passive surveillance and biodiversity.

low item medium localised 8 weeks

33

Partial clearance of denseunderstory vegetation within 5m of paths and replacement of over-mature trees with new specimen trees as part of a ‘woodland management plan’.

medium5000m2

Non contract itemmedium localised 3 weeks

34 Improved lighting of foot- and cycle path parallel to Templeogue Road.

medium item medium localised 2 weeks

Total Order of Magnitude Costfor Safety and Passive Surveillance

€150,000

Development Project Priority Matrix cont.

Nr° Development Project

(subject to funding)

Strategic Importance

(low – high)

Unit/ item - estimated cost per unit/ item ex VAT*

Disruption to Park Use

major – minor/ localised – general / duration

BIODIVERSITY

35Provision of ramps to duck pond perimeter and island to enable access and egress for ducklings.

high5No ramps

Non contract itemminor localised 1 week

36

Introduction of measures including an island and aquatic plants in ponds to improve water quality in accordance with BPBP.

medium100m2

Non contract itemminor localised 1 week

37New native riparian planting to river corridor in accordance with Bushy Park Biodiversity Plan (BPBP)8.

medium50No multistem trees

Non contract itemminor localised 2 weeks

38Extension of existing wild flower meadows

medium7500m2

Non contract itemminor localised 1 week

39Proposed tree planting alongside Springfield Avenue and new car park.

high100No trees x €250.00

minor localised 2 weeks

40Proposed tree planting between perpendicular parking spaces inRathdown Avenue.

high 50No trees x €250.00 mediumoutside park boundary but likely

disruption to park access1 week

41New tree planting and green spaces provided between courts in sport court area.

medium75No trees x €250.00

minor localised 2 weeks

42New tree planting to frame viewing axis to Bushy Park House.

medium Included under section ‘Park Amenities’

minor localised 1 week

Total Order of Magnitude Costfor Biodiverstiy

€120,000