Conservation Management Plan
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Phoenix Park Conservation Management Plan Full (2.70MB)
Phoenix Park Conservation Management Plan Summary (420KB)
Responsibility for the Phoenix Park is shared by the Minster for Finance, who through the Commissioners of Public Works, is responsible for its day-today operations and manages the Park and the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, who is responsible for overall heritage policy.
Management of such a vast and complex park, which is also of great historical and cultural importance, must be both conservative and progressive. The essence of managing historic parks and gardens is continuity. That is, it must strive to maintain, for the benefit of the public, the valuable inheritance of the past, but must also address challenges arising from the inevitability and desirability of change.
The Management Plan aims to balance the responsibility to protect, conserve and enhance this unique landscape, its environment, heritage and vistas of the Phoenix Park, with active and creative policies to facilitate wider access and to increase opportunities for enjoyment, information, education and recreation, now and into the future. The Plan is strategic in nature, setting out the vision and strategic objectives for the 21st Century. Within this broader framework, the Plan also sets out specific objectives and actions for implementation in the initial 5-10 year period. Some measures will continue to be implemented as long-term actions.
In the light of the above the overall vision for the Conservation Management Plan is:
“To protect and conserve the historic landscape character of Phoenix Park and its archaeological, architectural and natural heritage whilst facilitating visitor access, education and interpretation; facilitating the sustainable use of the Park’s resources for recreation and other appropriate activities, encouraging research and maintaining its sense of peace and tranquillity.”
The emphasis in drawing up this plan has been consultation with the widest possible number of stakeholders. The Plan is based on a comprehensive range of baseline studies that include: Birds, Bats, Fish, Mammals, Trees, Biodiversity & Geodiversity, Water Quality, Recreation, Planning Context Study, Transportation and analysis, together with a series of facilitated consultations with stakeholders and submissions received from interested parties and the public. Representatives from 53 groups were invited to give their opinions, and, given the huge interest, it was decided to hold four ‘themed workshops’ to focus the contributors on key questions on the future of the Park. Many other contributions were received from individuals and bodies in response to advertisements in the press.
May 31st 2009 is the final date for submissions. It is anticipated to launch the final Conservation Management Plan later in the year.
