Let's save the last parklet in Naas for the kids, say council

The last remaining Covid-inspired ‘parklet’ in Naas has again drawn the ire of a local councillor, who thinks it should be removed from Dublin Road South, and the loading bay beneath it restored.

However, it looks like Kildare County Council has sided instead with an unexpected ally in this fight – the youth of Naas.

“It’s never been used – never, even on a dry day like this,” said cllr Ann Breen, about the council-built wooden sit-down zone, just outside the Dublin Road exit of the Naas Town Centre Shopping Centre.

“It’s situated in a loading bay, and I’ve seen vans and trucks struggle to find parking around here,” she said.

All this came out following a question she raised in relation to this at this week’s March meeting of the Naas Municipal District members.

This was cllr Breen’s second attempt at removing this particular piece of street architecture, having tried before in July 2024.

“Can the council provide an update on the plans for the parklet currently on the Dublin Road” she asked.

“This continues to be a white elephant, not being used by the public to any extent, getting more and more dilapidated and becoming an eyesore, taking up much-needed parking space."

However, and quite progressively, Kildare County Council seem to have a different viewpoint – after listening to the kids of the town.

“There are no plans to move or remove the parklet places on the Dublin Road in Naas,” declared Pamela Pender, a senior officer with the Naas Public Realm Team in her formal reply.

"Given the time of year, the usage of the space is expected to be lower than the spring, summer and autumn periods,” she offered reasonably.

“A recent public consultation event held with youth groups in Naas — as part of the Canal Quarter Masterplan — and it confirmed that our youth want places in the town centre, where they can hang out and be themselves. The parklet serves that purpose while not impeding on parking spaces in the town, given that there are 532 spaces in Naas Town Centre with direct access to both the Sallins and Dublin Road.

“The parklet is maintained by the Naas Tidy Towns Group with spring bulbs planted, and the cleaning crews from the Naas Municipal District office,” concluded Ms Pender.

The parklet cost €35,000 to install back in spring 2022.