Merrion Square Park Management Proposals
Management Plan for the Premier Georgian Square in the City.
Our Vision is to maximise the historical, cultural, recreation and educational potential of this 250 year old square and manage a park which is relevant to the present, respects the past and plans for the future.
Merrion Square Park is a Flagship Park, with a large number of mature trees and layered planting which subtly divides the park.
AIM:
Maintain the highest standard of park management practices and horticultural presentation.
Proposals –
Undertake a survey of all trees to inform a future tree management programme. – Enhance plant diversity by replacing tall understorey planting with perennials, groundcover, and bulbs to add greater visual interest and boost biodiversity. – Enhance ‘compartments’ within the park to create themed areas and walkways using plants and vegetation eg. areas with emphasis on ecology and habitat creation and improve permeability. – Create formal and informal planting schemes by using more perennial/herbaceous plants instead of ‘seasonal bedding’ where possible
Maximise the Potential of the Park as a Visitor Attraction AIM:
Ensure that the Park is an enjoyable place to visit with a range of excellent facilities and interesting events taking place throughout the year for all age groups.
Proposals –
Increase the size and scope of the playground to enhance it’s play value – Provide a café in the park to supply food and snacks – Have fully accessible toilets and child changing facilities. – Provide Wifi and Apps. of features related to the park .
Promote the Artistic, Historical and Cultural importance of the Square. AIM:
Elevate the Park as a premier visitor attraction for Artistic, Historical and Cultural Expression
Proposals: –
Review the Array of Sculptures within the Park to build on the popularity of the Oscar Wilde sculpture.
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Facilitate and Encourage a year round programme of cultural events.
Ensure that the Park is a safe, secure and welcoming place for the public to visit AIM:
Through enhanced wayfinding, good planting design and maintenance establish a park which is a welcoming, safe and attractive place to visit.
Proposals: –
Improve existing signage and introduce new wayfinding.
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Enhance perception of Public Safety by Improving ‘sight lines’ and creating ‘vignettes’ in the park so that the public feels safe at all times.
– Ensure that the park’s maintainenance programme continues to meets best practice guidelines
Proposals – Undertake tree survey – Replace Understorey with a greater variety of Plant Species – Increase Size & Play Value of the Playground, Provide a Café & fully accessible toilets – Embrace Technology
– To Inform tree Management Programme – Improve Plant diversity and interest – Improved visitor attraction for Children & Parents – Create Wifi Areas and provide Apps
Proposals – Create year round Programme of Events – Introduce Wayfinding in the Park. – Improve sight lines and create vignettes
– Which will promote the Artistic,Cultural and History of the Square – Improve perception of Public Safety
Tasks – Engage with Stakeholders regarding the proposals outlined above – Present a Plan of Improvements informed by Stakeholder Consultation – Implement a Phased Programme of Improvements from 2013-2016