Parks & Outdoors

dlr wins Sustainability Award for Fernhill Park & Gardens

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dlr  Parks Department and ARUP are delighted to be the first recipients of the Engineers Ireland Sustainability Award for Fernhill Park & Gardens. The Sustainability Award, sponsored by Irish Water, champions engineering and environmental industries who have embraced the core pillars of sustainability throughout the planning and delivery of initiatives for communities.

Purchased by dlr in 2015, Fernhill Park and Gardens is Dublin’s newest Public Park, and forms an important component of the historic landscape on the fringe of Dublin City and an impressive example of a small estate dating back to around 1823. The former estate is a unique collection of heritage buildings, gardens, parkland, woodland and agricultural land. The elevated nature of the site, overlooking Dublin Bay on the threshold between the city and the Dublin mountains, lends a particular magic to the place.  Fernhill is also home to a unique plant collection, made up of acid-loving plants such as Rhododendrons, Camelias and Magnolias, among others.

Ruairi O'Dulaing commented: 

"dlr and ARUP are delighted to be the first recipients of the Engineers Ireland Sustainability Award for Fernhill Park & Gardens. The Council has set out an ambitious Sustainability Strategy for the Park, which is particularly relevant in today's Climate Emergency and the Council's own Climate Action Plan. From Power generation to growing of food, from community led tree planting to light touch stone work restoration and Natural Woodland Play, Fernhill will be a model of sustainability for future generations".

 

The sustainability masterplan developed by dlr and Arup provides the public with a much-needed resource in an area of large population growth, whilst conserving and enhancing the biodiversity of the gardens. The masterplan aims to meet the needs of the Park & Gardens from within, including delivering the energy required to support sports facilities, educational and community activities. Waste is minimised, local water course protection conserves water and a community garden grows produce for use in the tea rooms.

There is an environmentally sustainable practice incorporated in all aspects of the design, construction and day to day operation of the park to include; garden management (fruit and vegetables); water supply; waste water management; energy efficiency and renewable energy supply; ‘green’ transport; smart communications and accessibility.

Fernhill House and Gardens will be a major tourist attraction while serving important community services in so many aspects of our lives. It will go a long way to redressing the balance in our digitally connected world by taking the best of these technologies to enhance and reinforce our awareness of a biodiverse natural environment in beautiful, serene parklands within our capital city.

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