Some 150 new plants on the Pedestrian Cycle Walkway to Tramore Valley Park from the South Douglas Road were vandalised and uprooted. Pic: Cork City Council.

Newly opened Tramore Valley park is vandalised

Over 150 new plants on the Pedestrian Cycle Walkway to the newly opened Tramore Valley Park were vandalised and uprooted last night, much to the dismay of Cork City Council and park users.

One local, Colm O’Connor, who had been walking there on Tuesday evening with his wife and three children, said he had been admiring the work and had actually had the worry that the plants and shrubs would be vandalised before they had a chance to grow.

Mr O’Connor was also one of the first people to come across the destruction, while out on an early cycle this morning.

“It’s a shame that a small ignorant minority can ruin it for the rest of the community,” Colm said.

Fianna Fáil Councillor For Cork City South East Mary Rose Desmond said she was shocked by the news that someone had pulled up a number of plants at the entrance to the park and labelled the incident a “disgrace.”

“I walked it over the weekend for the first time since the lovely planting was done by Cork County Council and The Pavilion Garden Centre and work carried out by Douglas Tidy Towns. I was so impressed I took a photo.

“The unwanted vandalism and total disregard and respect for our public space by whoever did this damage is a disgrace.”

Fianna Fáil Councillor Sean Martin said the park is only open a week and there is bound to be a bedding-in period but if this behaviour continues then CCTV should be looked at as an option.

“You are always going to have teething issues and anti-social behaviour, but the question is how to do you protect the park going forward and how do you counteract that?”

Speaking about the vandalism, Mr Martin said it was “stupid carryon” and “childish behaviour” that he didn’t understand.

“Why anyone would go out of their way to do this is beyond me,” Mr Martin said.

Mr Martin said he hoped to discuss the issue next week at City Hall with the Environment Strategic Policy Committee (SPC).

According to Cork City Parks Sport and Recreation Department, the park staff are attempting to rescue some of the plants this morning.