Dublin City Council today signed contracts for the construction of an €18 million park that will generate its own energy.
Fr Collins Park in Donaghmede in the north of the city will be redeveloped as a 55 acre sustainable sports, leisure and amenity park. Building on the project will begin in October and it is expected to be completed by spring 2009.
Wind turbines will generate electricity for all the park's energy needs while a sustainable drainage system will drain excess water off sports pitches and green areas through reed beds where it will be recycled into a lake.
Aside from sports pitches, the park will have three enclosed playgrounds for three different age groups, separate running and cycling tracks encircling the park and exercise areas.
There will be a "stage area" for outdoor performances. A promenade with sheltered areas is to be built over the middle of the lake.
An international competition for the design of the park was won by Argentinian architects Abelleyro & Romero. They have formed a partnership in Dublin with the runners-up, MCO Architecture to oversee the construction of the project.
At almost twice the size of the 30-acre Herbert Park in Dublin 4, Fr Collins Park will be the last large size park built by Dublin City Council.
The €18 million funding for the redevelopment of the park will come from levy's paid by developers building private projects in the city.
Liffey Developments will carry out the work.