The strip runs along the railway station wall. At its narrowest it is about a metre wide. It had a few benches and trees, but it did not feel looked after, and it was being misused.
One resident decided to change that. She had never written a grant application before. The first grant paid for a landscape architect, who came to the residents’ association meetings and drew up a plan from what people said there.
The plan was not a playground. It was a place for everyone: a trail of logs and timber to balance on, planting, and walls for children’s artwork. Neighbours built most of it themselves in spring 2016.
A children’s book exchange shelf was added in 2023.
How it happened
- 2014
A resident starts talking to neighbours about the strip.
- Jan 2015
A local community fund grant pays for a landscape architect.
- 2015
Plans shaped at residents’ association meetings. Two small grants and a crowdfunder fill the gap.
- Spring 2016
Built by the community.
- 2023
Book exchange shelf added.
What helped
- Several small grants added together.
- A designer who listened at residents’ meetings.
- Council staff who pointed to funding and were easy to talk to.
- Neighbours doing most of the building.
What was hard
- A narrow, awkward site.
- Learning to write a grant application from scratch.
- A funding gap even after three grants.
Who was involved
- A local resident, who led it
- A landscape architect and artist
- The local residents’ association
- The council’s public realm officer, who advised
Money
- Croke Park Community Fund: paid for the design
- Dublin City Council community grant: €375
- KBC Bright Ideas Fund: €500
- Crowdfunding: about €1,000 still needed in August 2015
Pictures to ask for
No photos yet. These are the pictures we would ask the people involved for, with their permission. Never photos of children.
Where this comes from
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