Masterplan meeting on future of Kingston public lands

The people of Knocknacarra have been urged to input into a ‘master plan’ for a site earmarked for recreation.

Consultants have been hired by Galway City Council to develop a framework plan for recreational and amenity lands at Kingston.

They have been tasked with carrying out a review and design of how to best use the Council-owned 12-acre site adjacent to St John the Apostle National School.

It is the only site in Kingston earmarked for recreation – most of the remaining land is zoned for housing and commercial use at the adjacent ‘Kenny land’.

The need for a new public park to serve that part of the western suburb was identified eight years ago.

Since 2008, it has been included in each of the city’s development plans and local area plans.

Cunnane Stratton Reynolds, Land Planning and Design Consultants have now been asked to draw up a framework plan, and are hosting a public consultation session next Wednesday, June 15.

The morning session at Knocknacarra Community Centre is for organisations identified as ‘stakeholders’, with slots for St John the Apostle NS, Salthill/Knocknacarra GAA Club, Knocknacarra FC and Galway Hockey Club.

In the afternoon, from 2pm to 4pm, the session is open to the public who are invited to offer their views on the framework plans.

Residents living near the site haven’t been identified by the consultants as stakeholders. But local area councillor Donal Lyons has urged the people of Clybaun Court, Glenvale Court, Kingston Gardens, Gort Siar, White Oaks and Altan to make sure their voices are heard during this consultation phase.

“I am disappointed that the residents haven’t been included as stakeholders but I would urge them to attend the consultation and to give their views on how the recreational and amenity lands should be used. It is important that the views of people living in the area are taken on board, whatever those views may be,” he said.

For more on this story, see this week’s Galway City Tribune