Works at Deerpark Deliver Safer, Inclusive Access for All

About the scheme:

Deerpark, one of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council’s flagship parks, has undergone a significant upgrade to improve accessibility for all. Previously, the entrance did not meet accessibility standards, preventing wheelchair users, people with mobility challenges, parents with prams, and others from using this access point.

The newly redeveloped entrance now provides fully accessible access, including a ramp designed for those with mobility impairments. This improvement not only connects the park to the road network but also links key community amenities such as the local church, community centre, school, and playground.

By delivering this scheme, dlr has addressed long-standing accessibility issues, enhanced the public realm, and improved the visual character of the area. This project reflects our ongoing commitment to developing inclusive infrastructure that meets the needs of all members of our community.

The construction of the improvement works at Deerpark entrance was carried out under a public works contract, and the works included the following:

• Structural concrete retaining walls to facilitate the ramp installation
• New steps to current accessibility guidelines including handrails etc
• Landscaping and public realm space (including new high-quality granite paving; 4 No. tiers of stone-cladded walls; granite seating areas and green spaces with new trees and plants)
• Improved safety for pedestrians by means of upgraded and new signalised pedestrian crossings and traffic calming measures at a busy junction
• Road resurfacing
• Service ducting including drainage gullies, traffic signal ducts etc
• Heritage signage
• Tactile paving.

This was a significant engineering project that encountered many challenges during the construction including the discovery of previously unidentified electrical cables. These had to be relocated to facilitate the construction. The new scheme provides a high-quality access point to this park that will add benefits to the area for years to come.