Residents reclaim Dartmouth Square

dublin | anti-capitalism | news report Friday June 09, 2006 19:20 by Tobie*

After the recent private closure of the Dartmouth park, the local residents have taken direct action and reclaimed their park. They are holdig the "Bring your Lawnmower" Dartmouth Work Party tomorrow morning to make it the kinda of space they want to spend there time in.

According to the council's website Dartmouth Square was privately owed until 1987 then it was aquired and developed as a public park by the council. Yet a few years ago Lord Dartey approached the council to claim that the park actually was owned by himself. They ignored him and insisted that the past 19 years it was in their hands. Yet as it would seem Lord Darely did own it and he sold it this past fall for €8000 to a builder from Athlone how has threatened to use the space to park cars.

Dartmouth had been managed by the council and enjoyed by the local residents until the January when a lock was put on the park gate when this long term public space became private. It took this action for the council to see their over site and have put a CPO in process. But in the mean time the residence have refused for their space to be claimed and have taken the situation into their own hands.

A weekago today, Friday June 2nd, the local residence took direct action in reclaiming their park, they broke one of the locks and let themselves in. Around a hundred people mainly locals filled the park and enjoyed the sunny afternoon.

Over the past few months the park has not been maintained and needs a bit of work. The residences of the area have taken it upon themselves to clean up and are calling the Dartmough Work Party tomorrow where the theme is bring your own lawn mower. They are getting the park ready to the people to enjoy again.

Last summer they had two kids parties with a sound system, digital face painting, food and more. No lock is going to stop them from enjoying their yearly event. They will be holding the Dartmouth Kids fest and slow food organic picnic both in june and august. Everyone is welcome so watch this space and bring something fun.