Chapter 3 I Delivering Homes and Communities
3.87 Chapter 6 Green and Blue Infrastructure, Open Space and Biodiversity addresses Green and Blue Infrastructure while Chapter 11 Placemaking and Managing Development lists development management policies from an open space and recreation perspective. These, together with this section and the associated studies, combine to promote integrated open space and recreation provision throughout Cork City. 3.88 The Government’s ‘National Sports Policy 2018 – 2027’ sets targets for increasing participation in sport for all ages and abilities including an ambitious goal of having half of the adult population playing sport regularly by 2027. It identifies local authorities as leading the facilitation of physical activity and sports and working in partnership with local communities, Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs), clubs and leisure providers to help improve facilities and increase participation. The emphasis on providing an enhance offer of recreational facilities is also reiterated in the ‘Local Economic & Community Plan 2016-2021- Pure Cork’ and ‘Cork Healthy Cities Action Plan Phase VII 2020-2030’. 3.89 Cork City Council has commissioned the preparation of a city-wide ‘Active Recreation Infrastructure Study’ to appraise existing facilities and provide recommendations on policy objectives, the enhancement or expansion of existing facilities, and the provision of new facilities. The Development Plan will seek to incorporate the recommendations and take them forward to implementation. Further details are contained in Chapter 6 Green and Blue Infrastructure, Open Space and Biodiversity.
Libraries
3.90 Library services continue to be of major importance to the city in providing information, education, places for social interaction and bridging the digital divide. They can inspire, connect and empower our communities. In 2020, approximately 21% of the City’s population were active library users 2 . The national libraries strategy, ‘Our Public Libraries 2022’, seeks to increase usership to 30% of the population nationally. As it stands there are 10 public libraries in the City but as the City grows, more longer-term, library facilities will be required at the following locations: • A new City Centre Library • Mayfield (extension and refurbishment of the Frank O’Connor Library, as a joint development with St. Joseph’s Community Centre / SJCA) • Blackrock-Mahon (A new library) • Douglas • Ballincollig • Glanmire • Blarney • Blackpool 3.91 Cork City Council will work proactively with the library service and local communities in exploring opportunities to expand and improve library facilities.
2 Cork City Council Libraries 2020-2024 Strategic Plan.
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Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028 I Volume 1
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