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Spring clean for Hazelbury

There was a good response to the Hazelbury Residents’ Association’s call to arms recently as Hazelburians got down to some serious spring cleaning in preparation for summer. Some of those who took part in the Hazelbury clean up

Residents brought along trowels, spade and hoes and, thanks to a miraculous turn in the bank holiday weather, both the Park and Green estates were spruced up and tidy by the end of the day.

“It was very much an all hands on deck activity,” said HRA chairperson Chris Gorman. “People bemoan the lack of community spirit nowadays but the number of people that turned out is testament to the vibrant and positive community feelings that exist in the two estates. And of course, aside from making the neighbourhood more attractive, there is also an important social element to the whole operation, with people working side by side with neighbours they might only have seen driving by in their cars.”

The large turn-out ensured that the grass verges were given a thorough going-over and that all the unsightly weeds and rubbish that had accumulated on the kerbsides were removed. Each resident was also encouraged to bring along a plant if possible to add a nice touch to the flower boxes arranged strategically around the estates.

HRA normally organises two clean-up days each year, one at the beginning of summer and one at the end. One of the most vibrant resident associations in the neighbourhood, with over 140 members from the 300 houses, it also hosts family days, wine-tasting events and a Kids Christmas Party with the help of local sponsorship.

The association has also been very proactive in lobbying for better facilities in the two estates. Its successes include securing agreement for kissing gates to be installed at pedestrian entrances to main roads to safeguard the children in the estates; a site visit by Fingal County Council to consider traffic management proposals at the entrance to Hazelbury Park; and agreement from Dublin Bus to install bus stops along the Phibblestown Road. The latter will facilitate new bus services planned to commence in July, which will include the rerouting of the 270 and 39B to pass by Hazelbury Green.

“Despite our successes, we know we still have plenty to do,” says Chris, who is also Chair of the Castaheany / Ongar Community Council, the umbrella group of local residents’ associations. “We need to work with Fingal County Council on the development of the open space by Hazelbury Park, we need to focus on traffic management along the Phibblestown Road and we need to do something about the signage. But the clean-up day has given us all a lift and made the neighbourhood much more attractive.”

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