Greystones Water Park Is Officially Open

Greystones’ first free range dog wash…

ith not so much a bang as a whimper, Greystones shiny new park was officially opened today.

No fanfare, no press release, no forewarning, and all deliberately low-key.

So, no big deal? Or is there another reason behind this anti-climatic opening, not only of the park and its much-anticipated dog park but that boulevard walk too – that continues the straight line of Trafalgar Road right down to Mark Crean and his fellow surfers on the North Beach?

The quietness of today’s launch (locally, only Cathaoirleach Derek Mitchell was invited down to cut the ribbon) is perhaps understandable given that the powers that be behind our much-touted new seafront attraction – Marina Village developers Glenveagh and Wicklow County Council – have been dealing with a largely negative reaction to their efforts so far. Especially when it comes to that controversial Greystones Dog Park. Murmurs of corners being cut are augmented by the fact that money doesn’t grow on unsold seafront apartments.

We’ll have a statement from the notorious Bernie Stokes on Wednesday – after the she-devil’s red-eyed dog park committee presentation to the monthly Greystones Municipal District Council meeting on Tuesday. In the meantime, we decided to take a swing down today, to check out the latest lay of the land.

And truth be told, it’s not too shabby.

Having possibly given up on the idea of forever draining the dog park, what we have now are two ponds surrounded by rough grass verges and a few granite seating blocks.

Which, according to Max, as he killed and buried yet another helpless stone in the muddy, soft ground, is all fine agus dandy.

Whether it’s now up to dog park standard or not, we’ll have to wait and hear from the bould Bernie. Bumping into her this afternoon, a talk earlier in the week with Glenveagh was not, it seems, to this lady’s satisfaction. At all.

That the park overall is somewhat removed from the one we were sold in the brochure – let’s call it The Amazon Effect – is undeniable, but it’s still a great big park. Right by the north beach. And leading to The Cliff Walk. And Sweeney’s chipper.

So, for now, let’s just be thankful for what we’ve got, people.

Until, that is, we get Bernie’s reasoned rant on Wednesday…

We’ve been here before, of course…