Sandyford Civic Park

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council (DLR), in partnership with the Sandyford Business District, proposes the development of Sandyford Civic Park, a new 0.96-hectare civic and recreational urban park located at the corner of Corrig Road and Carmanhall Road, Sandyford, Dublin 18. 

The project responds to the identified need for high-quality public open space within Sandyford and supports the district’s ongoing transformation from a traditional business park into a vibrant, mixed-use urban centre, as set out in the Sandyford Urban Framework Plan.

As part of the EU-funded IB-Green programme, the development integrates green blue infrastructure, extensive planting, opportunities for sustainable drainage, and measures to mitigate urban heat stress. The project prioritises material reuse and circularity, with demolition arisings intended for reuse within the park where feasible.

The design for Sandyford Civic Park - undertaken following extensive public and stakeholder engagement— combines a formal civic square for events and gatherings with a softer, biodiverse landscape for relaxation, play, and passive recreation.

The scheme balances hard and soft landscaping, incorporates sculptural and artistic elements, and emphasises sustainability and climate resilience in accordance with DLR’s Climate Action Plan.

The proposed development includes the following key elements:

• Demolition of Buildings No. 27 and No. 28, Corrig Road, with materials reused onsite where possible.
• Adaptation of Building No. 26, Corrig Road, into a covered open sports and
• recreation structure.
• A new amphitheatre in the north-western portion of the park, providing a partially
• covered community meeting and event space.
• A viewing tower integrated into the north-western corner of the park, designed to act
• as a visual landmark when viewed from Sandyford Central and Carmanhall Road,
• and to assist pedestrian orientation and wayfinding.
• A naturalistic forested edge along the eastern boundary, with dense planting
• transitioning to a more urban landscape character towards the west.
• A large central lawn area providing a flexible green space for informal recreation
• and community use.
• Reduction in the width of Corrig Road to calm traffic speeds, improve pedestrian
• safety, and enhance the setting of the park.
• Planted buffering along Corrig Road and Carmanhall Road, including the extension
• of the existing tree line along Carmanhall Road, to strengthen the green corridor,
• improve microclimate, and visually define the park edge.
• A play area catering for a range of age groups, offering inclusive and accessible
• play opportunities.
• A “play along the way” design strategy, incorporating informal play elements
• integrated throughout paths, seating, and landscape features.
• A comprehensive SuDS strategy, including swales and rainwater retention areas,
• designed to capture, attenuate, and integrate surface water into the landscape design.
• A new level crossing at the junction of Corrig Road and Carmanhall Road, improving
• pedestrian permeability, safety, and connectivity to the park.
• A lighting strategy focused on the park perimeter, with additional lighting provided
• to sports and recreation facilities, ensuring safety while minimising light spill and
• protecting biodiversity.
• High-quality paving, seating, accessibility measures, integrated lighting, and
• enhanced pedestrian connections throughout the park.

On completion, Sandyford Civic Park will function as a central civic and recreational space for workers, residents, and visitors, reinforcing local identity, encouraging social interaction, and demonstrating best-practice climate-responsive urban greening within a high-density urban district.