Bylaws to target antisocial behaviour in parks

A RAFT of new bylaws, including a ban on children over 12 from using playground equipment, are to be introduced to crack down on anti-social behaviour in Cork’s city parks.

“These bylaws are being introduced to ensure that parks and open spaces can be used in safety and comfort by the public, ensuring that people show consideration and respect for other users of such facilities,” a city council spokesman said.

Some 60 bylaws will cover the city’s 26 parks, including Fitzgerald’s Park, Bishop Lucey Park, the Atlantic Pond, Bishopstown Park, Joe McHugh Park, the Lee Fields, the Lough and Clashduv Park, six city walkways including the Mahon, Mardyke and Marina routes, and the city’s four cemeteries – St Catherine’s, St Finbarr’s, St Joseph’s and St Michael’s.

The laws deal with issues such as nuisance, vandalism and casual trading and are designed to strengthen existing legislation, the spokesman said.

Some of the bylaws include a ban on:

* The use of mechanical vehicles like motorbikes, scooters and quad bikes from parks and open spaces;

* On horses or cattle grazing in open spaces without prior written consent;

* Dangerous breed dogs entering parks or open spaces;

* People climbing trees and shrubs in parks;

* Skating on frozen ponds;

* Flying model aircraft or sailing model boats without prior written permission from the council.

The bylaws also include bans on the use of radios and CD players, and a ban on children over the age of 12 using playground equipment like swings and slides.

Labour TD Kathleen Lynch welcomed the move. She said residents near the Fairfield had complained to her about the reckless use of quad bikes on that area of open space up to three years ago.

“These laws will close a legal loophole and strengthen the city’s hand in dealing with this kind of situation,” she said.

City officials have consulted with other local authorities and examining their bylaws and have drafted “good bylaws”, the council spokesman added.

A person convicted of breaching the laws could face fines of up to €1,904.61 under the provisions of Sections 204 and 205 of the Local Government Act 2001.

The council plans to publish the draft laws early next week to get feedback from the public.

Submissions will be invited and the laws may be amended before a final draft of the Parks, Open Spaces and Cemeteries Bylaws 2009 is published.

That final draft will then go before city councillors for rubber stamping before the laws are introduced.