Cork's First Learn-to-Cycle Track Gets Green Makeover with Rain Gardens

A Cork city community has planted rain gardens at Railway Park in a pioneering climate project that city planners say could serve as a model for urban neighbourhoods across Ireland.

The planting day on Saturday marked the completion of a community-led initiative at the northside park, which features Cork's first learn-to-cycle track. The project, supported by the Community Climate Action Programme, the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) and Cork City Council's Parks and Recreation team, combines sustainable drainage solutions with a safe space for children to learn cycling skills.

The Railway Park Community Group, which draws members from St Lukes, Summerhill North, O'Mahony Avenue, Wellington Road and Grattan Hill, formed in 2017 to improve the local green space. The group successfully applied for funding to transform an old Irish Rail storage area into the city's first dedicated learn-to-cycle track.

Michael O'Sullivan, Railway Park Community Group, said:

"It's exciting to reach the planting stage and see everyone getting involved. This shows what's possible when a community has a vision for its green space and works with the city council to make it happen."

Construction of the cycle track began last summer, creating a safe environment for children to learn road safety through child-friendly markings. While works were underway, the city council's parks team added new play equipment including an active climber unit with monkey bars, a Springer and five play panels.

The environmental innovation lies in four rain gardens installed around the track, funded by LAWPRO. These nature-based solutions address surface water issues by slowing the flow and retaining rainwater, protecting the track from damage whilst creating vibrant green spaces.

Sharon McDonnell, Senior Executive Planner and Chair of the Sustainable Urban Drainage (SuDS) working group at Cork City Council, said:

"These demonstrator projects give us an opportunity to trial and monitor new ways of working, like nature-based solutions. What we learn here will inform future projects and help us build climate resilience across the city."

The project demonstrates how communities and councils can collaborate to create greener, safer spaces whilst tackling climate challenges. Cork City has received €860,000 in Community Climate Action Programme funding for projects run by community, voluntary and non-profit groups, covering areas including community energy, travel, food and waste, and local environmental action.

The Railway Park project will monitor four key areas: water quantity, water quality, biodiversity and amenity value, providing data to inform future sustainable drainage projects across Cork.