CHAPTER 6 LOCATIONS FOR NEW TREE PLANTING [6.1] Overview Where can we plant new trees in Cork City? This chapter sets out policies and actions to guide tree planting over the next few years as well actions to develop long-term strategies for tree planting in
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Parks and Open Spaces
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Public Street Trees and Road Verges
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Low canopy cover neighbourhoods
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Woodlands
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Ecological Corridors
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Private land, including residential gardens (see Chapter 8)
[6.2] Parks Cork City currently has over thirty parks, totalling over 283 hectares. In 2021 tree canopy cover in existing parks averaged 32%. Of the 8,000+ trees planted by Cork City Council from 2021-Spring 2023, nearly 80% of these have been in parks and open spaces. Some existing parks have adequate space to accommodate additional trees while still retaining an open character suitable for other amenity uses, and planting will continue in these areas. There is also capacity along the boundaries of some sports grounds. In addition to adding more trees to existing parks, new parks with significant tree planting will also be developed. The Cork City Development Plan includes objectives for two new regional parks (North West and North East) and the Lee to Sea Green Route, a major greenway with potential for riparian woodland planting. These projects are currently in the early stages of planning. [6.3] Public Open Spaces In addition to formal parks, there are currently an additional 500 hectares of land zoned Public Open Space that includes areas such as residential greens, green margins, and large informal open spaces. In 2021 these open spaces had an average canopy cover of 31%. In addition to City Council planting, community groups have carried out tree planting in some of these spaces, and public submissions indicated further interest in increased planting in these areas. This is further addressed in Chapter 8. New open spaces will be planned and developed as part of the development management process. Objective 6.5 of the City Development Plan supports the planting of new trees as part of new developments. The Development Plan further establishes that all development proposals are expected to consider the design of space for trees and other greening at the earliest stage (Section 11.9) and to integrate provision for biodiversity enhancement, including areas of native tree planting (Section 11.224). To help implement these objectives, Cork City Council will prepare more specific guidance notes in respect of new tree planting proposals for use in the development management process.
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[ Cork City Council - Tree Strategy ]
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