Dublin City Council marked National Bike Week by recently launching the Tolka Valley Greenway. The Greenway is a 4km off-road cycling and walking route which links Glasnevin, Cabra, Finglas and Ashtown. It is part of a €4.1m, 18.2 hectare extension to Tolka Valley Park. It features wetlands, parklands and walkways and has almost doubled the size of Tolka Valley Park.
“Dublin City Council is opening the Tolka Valley Greenway as part of National Bike Week. It’s part of Dublin’s expanding network of cycle facilities. Facilities like this, the Grand Canal Way Cycle Route and dublinbikes have played a big part in growing cycle numbers in the city. The Greenway and this wonderful park are a great recreation area for locals and the wider community and are sure to draw people to the area” says Cllr Dr. Bill Tormey representing the Lord Mayor, who joined locals to cut a ribbon at 12 noon today to officially open the Tolka Valley Greenway.
Dr. Tormey was joined by members of the local community, elected officials and local schoolchildren for the launch. The children were from 5th and 6th class in St. Malachy’s and 1st class children from St. Oliver Plunkett’s. Both schools are on St. Helena’s Rd, Finglas. The school children also had an opportunity to ride a mini train and try out a special obstacle course which Dublin City Council provided for the day.
Tolka Valley is the latest addition to Dublin City Council’s network of ‘Greenway’ off-road cycle routes. The council launched the Grand Canal Way Cycle Route last year and this is now used by well over 2,000 cyclists on a typical working day. It has also attracted walkers, adding to the Grand Canal’s amenity value. Planning permission was granted this May for a 2km section of the 22km Sutton to Sandycove coastal route. Dublin City Council is also working on the development of future Greenways along the Grand Canal, Royal Canal, Tolka Valley and the River Dodder.
To view a map of existing a proposed Greenways click here.
