The OPW announce new social distancing arrangements for The Phoenix Park

The OPW have today announced new social distancing arrangements for The Phoenix Park to take into account the proposed lifting of restrictions by the Government starting on Monday 18th May 2020.

The main changes to assist walking, running & cycling while maintaining social distancing are set out below.

OPW announces Social Distancing Plan for the Phoenix Park

The Office of Public Works today announced the following temporary safety measures to be implemented in the Phoenix Park from Monday, 18^th May 2020, to facilitate the changing needs of the public during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The use of the Phoenix Park as a recreational space has significantly increased over the last number of weeks. The Phoenix Park provides numerous opportunities for green exercise while connecting with nature, thus improving the mental health and wellbeing of all citizens who utilise its wonderful amenities.

Current cycling and pedestrian usage has raised significant new road safety issues not experienced before to this extent and these will be exacerbated with the reintroduction of vehicles into the Phoenix Park.

With public safety to the forefront, this proposal for social distancing aims to provide the public with a safe place to practice social distancing from each other while they walk, run, exercise and travel by bike and adhere to the 2m rule. These measures are being introduced by the OPW in consultation with the Gardai.

These temporary measures include the following: –

• Provide cocooning space at the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre Walled Garden from 10am to 1pm, daily.
• Provide priority cocooning car parking at the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre for those cocooning and using the walled garden.
• Repurpose a portion of the North Road from the Cabra Gate to GHQ as a 2m wide footpath.
• Instillation of one-way cycle lanes on the hard shoulder of Chesterfield Avenue to facilitate 2m social distancing.
• Convert the current cycle lanes adjacent to Chesterfield Avenue into pedestrian footpaths
• Open car parks at 10am daily from the 18^th May in line with Phase 1 of the Government of Ireland Roadmap.
• Dedicated parking areas will be provided for those taking early morning exercise.
• Prioritise car parking for Dublin Zoo patrons in conjunction with their phased reopening
• Introduction of pedestrianised & leisure cycle shared space on the Kyber Road.
• Re-open the perimeter vehicular gates at 10am daily from the 8^th June in line with Phase 2 of the Government of Ireland Roadmap.

These temporary safety measure will be regularly reviewed by OPW in line with HSE Guidelines and Government of Ireland advice.

-END-

For further information contact pressoffice@opw.ie