Kerdiffstown Park: Sustainability, Community, and Innovation in Action

By Minister Ossian Smyth

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Kerdiffstown Park was formerly a quarry back in the 1950s and subsequently used as a landfill site for waste disposal.

Kerdiffstown Fire

In 2011, an underground fire broke out on the site leading to a national emergency and causing a hazard to nearby motorways and communities.  It also threatened local waterways including the Morrell River and posed a potential risk to nearby businesses.

Emergency Response

An immediate emergency response by the State followed which involved numerous stakeholders such as my Department, the EPA and Kildare County Council.

Frighteningly, it took almost 30 days to bring this fire under control thanks to national and international fire services.

Once the immediate threat of the fire was removed, it was decided that the site would be re-profiled, with some waste left in situ and capping, leachate and gas management systems put in place.

Re-imagining the site

What began as a national emergency in 2011, has now resulted in the creation of an exceptional recreational park integrating sustainable design and development in its remediation works to operate as a multi-use public park fully accessible to everyone of all ages and abilities.

It boasts state of the art sports and recreational facilities such as all-weather playing pitches and a shower block.

It provides fully accessible pathways throughout with stunning art installations along the way. 

The Park also has a children’s playground and seating areas are dotted around the park allowing for a well-earned break or just to sit and admire the view. 

Community Engagement and Cooperation

My department could not have delivered this state of the art, award-winning public park in isolation. 

Our trusted partners across Government and Government Agencies provided their skills and knowledge helping to find solutions to unprecedented challenges. 

A special word of thanks must be given to the Environmental Protection Agency and the Project Team of Kildare County Council whose exceptional expertise, commitment, and hard work on all aspects of the remediation of Kerdiffstown landfill have resulted in a wonderful public amenity.

Kildare County Council built and continue to maintain strong relations with the local community through engagement and open and regular communication.  This engagement must be commended as the park would not be what it is today without this collaboration.

The remediation of Kerdiffstown ensured public health & safety and environmental risks were removed, with the local community at the heart of the project.

Common approach to a Complex Problem

Remediating Kerdiffstown landfill has been a complex and challenging project, but the EPA and Kildare County Council, with funding from my department, together with collaboration from stakeholders and the local community, accepted this challenge and made it what it is today – an award-wining public park which will no doubt serve as an integral part of the community.

The success of this project truly shows how important community and public engagement is, resulting in a valuable amenity for everybody to enjoy.