KILDARE: Park site has been closed to local residents for too long

The De Burgh gardens site has been closed to the Naas public for too long.

That’s the view of Naas politician Bob Quinn, who is pressing for the gardens to be open to the public as soon as possible.

Some  15 acres of the lands at Oldtown, off Sallins Road, which include water features and walkways are effectively in public ownership.

The lands were transferred to the then Naas Town Council in 2011 - but have not yet opened to the public.

And Cllr Quinn told a Naas Municipal District meeting that he did not see this “happening any time soon in any significant way.”

He added: “The community is keen to see it open and it will promote the concept of biodiversity.”

Instead he said the site is closed and behind locked gates.

“We need to know when the public will get access,"  he said, asking if it could be opened on a phased basis.

Parks superintendent Simon Wallace said the gardens could open on a phased basis but the project is about “opening a private garden as a public park.”

He also said guided tours of the site will  be facilitated by Cllr Seamie Moore and Kildare County Council will take place during  Heritage Week  from 12 to 20 August and participants will be required to book online for the tours.

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A tender to procure consultants to prepare a conservation plan is part of the works programme for this year. This will be used to inform what conservation works need to be considered and will inform a masterplan for the site. 

Mr Wallace also said it is hoped to progress plans to resurface some of the existing paths this year. Once this is completed there will be  occasional access to the grounds on a trial basis. 

Access and numbers visiting the gardens will be controlled due to the sensitivity of the woodland. This will possibly involve a booking system to facilitate access and control.

KCC will need to ascertain what level of resources are required for this and the cost and how parking can be accommodated.