Climate Action River Park
The Development of a Climate Action River Park at Church hill Estate, Tullamore
The Climate Action River Park is a co-creation initiative that aims to facilitate Tullamore's transition to a more climate resilient town through sustainability, nature-based solutions, urban greening and biodiversity. This project is an inclusive and innovative way for the people of Tullamore to experience the nature in a fun and exciting way. The project focuses on renovating this urban green space to adapt to the effects of climate change whist also preserving and restoring biodiversity.
Ireland
Church Hill Estate, Tullamore, County Offaly, Ireland
Early initiative
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
13180401: Tullamore (IE)
Offaly County Council have acquired an urban green space located within a housing estate in Tullamore, County Offaly. The urban green space runs adjacent to the Tullamore River. Offaly County Council purpose to transform this unused and neglected green space into a ‘Climate Action River Park’ that fosters a sense of community and connects them to the natural beauty of nature.
The green open space is currently in an unusable condition. Hence, the area has no current use and has unfortunately been a hotspot for anti-social behaviour and illegal encampments and dumping. Due to the negligence and mistreatment of land there is an increased risk of river contamination, soil and air pollution, habitat destruction, pluvial and fluvial flooding and public health risks.
The proposed project will also be designed to adapt to climate change impacts, promote sustainable practices, improve water and soil quality, promote citizens awareness and urban NBS and provide a sense of community to the residence of the Church Hill housing estate. Through the co-creation and co design of this project with the community Offaly County Council aspire to facilitate an area within Tullamore that is inclusive, innovative, exciting and can also alleviate the environmental issues raised above.
The green open space is currently in an unusable condition. Hence, the area has no current use and has unfortunately been a hotspot for anti-social behaviour and illegal encampments and dumping. Due to the negligence and mistreatment of land there is an increased risk of river contamination, soil and air pollution, habitat destruction, pluvial and fluvial flooding and public health risks.
The proposed project will also be designed to adapt to climate change impacts, promote sustainable practices, improve water and soil quality, promote citizens awareness and urban NBS and provide a sense of community to the residence of the Church Hill housing estate. Through the co-creation and co design of this project with the community Offaly County Council aspire to facilitate an area within Tullamore that is inclusive, innovative, exciting and can also alleviate the environmental issues raised above.
Climate Resilience
Climate Change Adaptation
Nature Based Solutions
Co-creation and creating a sense of community
Natural Beauty
The core theme of this initiative is sustainability. The site is documented as a flood zone area and therefore is prone to fluvial and pluvial flooding and has been highlighted as an area of difficulty as it has become a hotspot for anti-social behavior and illegal dumping. These high levels of waste pose environmental threats. To rectify the flooding and waste situations the project proposes to use Nature-Based flood defenses such as Rain Gardens/Playground and Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems. These initiatives reduce and prevent flood damage to the residential area. Absorb sediments, nutrients and pollutants such as oil and heavy metal in runoff from rainfall events. Rain gardens can also improve mental well-being, habitats for animals and enable carbon sequestration.
Nature Based Solutions (NBS) support flood risk reduction, by slowing down water and increase the soil retention and reduce risk of flooding and improve water quality. Before the instalment of these initiatives, all stakeholders should be consulted. Additionally, consultation with an expert regarding positioning and layout. Up to date weather data needs to be gathered to enable the garden to deal with future weather events. To fully appreciate the potential of nature-based measures, risk assessments should be extended with a benefit assessment to quantify their ecosystem and socio-economic benefits. Co-creation and stakeholder involvement form the beginning of the designing process through to the implementation will be carried out, this will ensure local relevance and acceptance while also increasing NBS awareness.
This sustainability initiative can be exemplary as NBS integrates flood management with environmental conservation addressing multiple challenges such as flooding and waste pollution. These measures are cost effective, climate resilient, improve water and quality and improve biodiversity and can be replicated all over Europe.
Nature Based Solutions (NBS) support flood risk reduction, by slowing down water and increase the soil retention and reduce risk of flooding and improve water quality. Before the instalment of these initiatives, all stakeholders should be consulted. Additionally, consultation with an expert regarding positioning and layout. Up to date weather data needs to be gathered to enable the garden to deal with future weather events. To fully appreciate the potential of nature-based measures, risk assessments should be extended with a benefit assessment to quantify their ecosystem and socio-economic benefits. Co-creation and stakeholder involvement form the beginning of the designing process through to the implementation will be carried out, this will ensure local relevance and acceptance while also increasing NBS awareness.
This sustainability initiative can be exemplary as NBS integrates flood management with environmental conservation addressing multiple challenges such as flooding and waste pollution. These measures are cost effective, climate resilient, improve water and quality and improve biodiversity and can be replicated all over Europe.
Co-creation Framework can significantly enhance the quality of the experience for the people as by involving the community within the design process co-design/creation leads to a more user-friendly and appealing outcomes. It can generate innovative solutions as many diverse voices and ideas are being listen too. It improves engagement and overall interaction with the initiative as the project for the community is being directly impacts and created by the community. It creates positive emotions as people can feel included, listened to and gain sense of pride for their involvement. Rainwater Playgrounds encourage play in all weather, making the wet and miserable days look a little brighter as this is when the playground thrives. The playground fosters positive emotions as it can facilitate a mindset change within the community as to what climate change/adaptation can look like. Adding a rain playground will significantly improve the aesthetics of the project site and this can facilitate distinct positive emotions and contribute to an overall wellbeing and improved performance within the community. Biodiversity Trails can be designed to reflect local heritage and traditions, incorporate plants with cultural significance, ensure accessibility for all the community to create a sense of inclusivity and belonging. They can improve quality of experience by having educational signs about the biodiversity. Artistic features like sculptures/ponds create visual interest. Other initiatives can use this initiative as an example and a positive case study when developing a project that has a co-creation framework. This initiative can be used to gain support, trust and buy in from other communities.
This Climate Action River Park Initiative is extremely inclusive from accessibility, affordability and design for all principles. The framework of the initiative is a co creation/co design. This ensures that any member of the community gets to be involved, have their voice heard and to have the chance to make a positive impact in their community. Every member of the community from various backgrounds, abilities, and experiences is encouraged to participate. The design of the project will include citizens workshops where user testing will be conducting with participants to identify any potential barriers that may arise and to allow for flexible designs that may change and adapt over time. Each element of the project will prioritize accessibility ensuring a universal design principle is used to create a space appropriate for people with diverse abilities. The information boards in the park will be simple and intuitive making them understandable regardless of prior knowledge. The park will be wheelchair friendly and different elements of the park will address all the senses. cost effective materials and technologies will be used for the implementation if this project without comprising quality or accessibility.
The Climate Action River Park will be owned and maintained by Offaly County Council therefore it will be free of charge and open for all members of the public to enjoy. This approach does not only benefit users with disabilities but is also enhances the overall experience for everyone.
The Climate Action River Park will be owned and maintained by Offaly County Council therefore it will be free of charge and open for all members of the public to enjoy. This approach does not only benefit users with disabilities but is also enhances the overall experience for everyone.
The community of Church Hill and of Tullamore will be positively affected and will also benefit from the implementation of the Climate Action River Park. The site is documented as a flood zone area and therefore is prone to fluvial and pluvial flooding. This proposed site is at the end of a housing estate. These properties have been directly impacted by the flooding and the ‘unused land’ of the site location has negatively impacted the property value, and increased insurance costs. The area is considered a potential risk for property buyers. The site has been highlighted as an area of difficulty as it has become a hotspot for anti-social behaviour and illegal dumping. The implementation of NBS flood defences and rain gardens will benefit the residence as they will be more protected from flooding. They also can gain knowledge regarding climate change and adaptation through the citizens awareness campaign. Studies have proven that Nature Based Solutions, community gardens, biodiversity trails and sustainable projects have increased citizens over all wellbeing. The project aims to foster a sense of community and social inclusion. The involvement of the community on the initiative is crucial. Without the community there is no climate action river park. It is a co-creation project designed by the community to benefit the environment and the community of Church Hill and Tullamore. The residence will be able to take pride in the initiative and in the area, they call home, to feel safer and to understand the need for climate change adaptation.
The Climate Action River Park design and implementation will have a variety of stakeholders from local, regional and national levels.
Offaly County Council: Contracting Authority, Project leaders and primary applicant for funding. Responsible for planning, securing resources, managing implementation, and facilitating community engagement.
Church Hill residence Committee: Co-creators and primary beneficiaries, provide local insights and ensure the needs of the church hill residence are met through the project.
Local Authorities Water Programme (LAWPRO): Providing expertise, resources and frameworks to ensure the project complies with regulations. Helping implement and monitor water quality improvement measures to restore water quality in the Tullamore River and facilitating catchment science and local community engagement.
Office of Public Works: the OPW ensures the project aligns with national priorities while incorporating environmentally sensitive practices. They will provide expert knowledge of flood management throughout the lifecycle of the project.
Environmental Protection Agency: Provide expertise alongside Local Authorities Water Programme with assessing pollutions levels, trends, provide technical guidance and enforcement of directives. The EPA will ensure sustainable management of water resources while protecting public health and the environment.
Accelerating Change Together (ACT): Third Party Facilitator/ co-designers. A contracted partner that will undertake the architectural and design aspects of the Climate Action River Park. This company has a strong ethos of sustainability and climate resilience within its green transition designs.
Offaly County Council: Contracting Authority, Project leaders and primary applicant for funding. Responsible for planning, securing resources, managing implementation, and facilitating community engagement.
Church Hill residence Committee: Co-creators and primary beneficiaries, provide local insights and ensure the needs of the church hill residence are met through the project.
Local Authorities Water Programme (LAWPRO): Providing expertise, resources and frameworks to ensure the project complies with regulations. Helping implement and monitor water quality improvement measures to restore water quality in the Tullamore River and facilitating catchment science and local community engagement.
Office of Public Works: the OPW ensures the project aligns with national priorities while incorporating environmentally sensitive practices. They will provide expert knowledge of flood management throughout the lifecycle of the project.
Environmental Protection Agency: Provide expertise alongside Local Authorities Water Programme with assessing pollutions levels, trends, provide technical guidance and enforcement of directives. The EPA will ensure sustainable management of water resources while protecting public health and the environment.
Accelerating Change Together (ACT): Third Party Facilitator/ co-designers. A contracted partner that will undertake the architectural and design aspects of the Climate Action River Park. This company has a strong ethos of sustainability and climate resilience within its green transition designs.
The implementation of the initiative incorporates multiple knowledge fields and disciplines. Environmental Science and Ecology, for understanding the local biodiversity, water quality, pollution levels, what flowers to add to the trails, which species are pollinator friendly, carbon sequestration, ecosystem services and to design NBS such as the rain gardens and urban forests for climate resilience.
Urban Planning and Architecture for the urban design, to implement the green infrastructure, and develop development plans and land use planning.
Policy and government for mainstreaming climate adaptation into the local and national policies, coordinating stakeholders across the local government, communities and private sector for effective implementation.
Social science for the citizens awareness campaign. This discipline and knowledge are used to promote community engagement and environmental education in the initiative.
Engineering and technology, many members of Offaly County Council and the Climate Action Team (head of the initiative) are engineers and will bring their expertise and experience to the initiative.
Economics and Finance knowledge is needed to prepare a budget, evaluate costs and funding mechanisms.
The representatives of these different fields will be encouraged to have a healthy flow of communication amongst one another. They will participate in collaborative workshops and scenario planning as part of the designs process. Integrated framework will be encouraged such as combining environmental assessments with urban planning. A shared data platform (SharePoint) will be used for each Church Hill Project team member to have access to constant information and decisions. These approaches encourage meaningful interactions and allow for diverse perspectives to form cohesive strategies for the Climate Action River Park.
Urban Planning and Architecture for the urban design, to implement the green infrastructure, and develop development plans and land use planning.
Policy and government for mainstreaming climate adaptation into the local and national policies, coordinating stakeholders across the local government, communities and private sector for effective implementation.
Social science for the citizens awareness campaign. This discipline and knowledge are used to promote community engagement and environmental education in the initiative.
Engineering and technology, many members of Offaly County Council and the Climate Action Team (head of the initiative) are engineers and will bring their expertise and experience to the initiative.
Economics and Finance knowledge is needed to prepare a budget, evaluate costs and funding mechanisms.
The representatives of these different fields will be encouraged to have a healthy flow of communication amongst one another. They will participate in collaborative workshops and scenario planning as part of the designs process. Integrated framework will be encouraged such as combining environmental assessments with urban planning. A shared data platform (SharePoint) will be used for each Church Hill Project team member to have access to constant information and decisions. These approaches encourage meaningful interactions and allow for diverse perspectives to form cohesive strategies for the Climate Action River Park.
Rain Playgrounds are innovate in comparison to the mainstream actions for climate change adaptation and flood defense. Instead of using grey infrastructures methods, that are not environmentally friendly, unaesthetic, expensive and may have to be replaced in a number of years. Ideas such as rain gardens offer a place for the community to understand climate change adaptation. They create a recreational area that can be enjoyed year round help the community to understand and become excited for other new climate resilient efforts throughout Tullamore. Nature based solutions enable a mindset change towards climate change and the way we have to live life due to its impacts. Other non NBS flood defenses do not. Co-creation approach represents a shift from the traditional and mainstream actions of top-down developments to a more inclusive and dynamic approach. It allows for creativeness and diversity and the problems to be seen from many perspectives that other approaches do not allow for. This project is also innovative as it is a combines a citizens awareness campaign. Not only are we implementing a climate action river park, we also aim to educate and involve the community to learn about climate change, the need for adaptation, and biodiversity. So that participants can bring this knowledge forward and make small changes in their lives that benefit the environment.
Offaly County Council proposes utilizing a co-design stakeholder consultation methodology to deliver this vision. This
inclusive approach will involve the local community, civil servants, businesses, NGOs and elected
representatives. Together we will not only identify Church Hill current and future challenges and
opportunities but also define the solutions and interventions that will shape the final Church Hill Climate Action Park.
Our team will adhere to three guiding principles for all workshops, Inclusion: Ensuring a balanced representation of stakeholders from both interest groups and the
local community in all workshops and group activities. Equality: Ensuring all participants have an equal voice, respect, and consideration throughout the
workshops. Considered Judgement: Focusing discussions on facts, future possibilities, and the needs of all
stakeholder.
Addressing the need, There has been need for action in the area for some time. We has been aware of the environmental and social need for change. Research was conducting using various stakeholders to gain a comprehensive understanding of the issues. Collaboration with the residence of Church Hill to brainstorm and explore ideas. Organize a co-creation workshop to engage/educate citizens and develop on potential idea while also maintaining a relationship with the residence and ongoing communication for feedback.
Develop the official concept design with the stakeholders. Pilot design by creating pilot or smaller version of the actions created and involve the community in testing it. Implementation and Scaling based on the pilot version of some actions, refine and implement these into the initiative on a larger scale. Monitor and Report, this will be the final step implemented in a number if years to allow for adaptability, recreation from other countries/areas. It will allow Offaly County Council to depict the progress if the NBS and the solutions and to implement new ideas/solutions if needed.
inclusive approach will involve the local community, civil servants, businesses, NGOs and elected
representatives. Together we will not only identify Church Hill current and future challenges and
opportunities but also define the solutions and interventions that will shape the final Church Hill Climate Action Park.
Our team will adhere to three guiding principles for all workshops, Inclusion: Ensuring a balanced representation of stakeholders from both interest groups and the
local community in all workshops and group activities. Equality: Ensuring all participants have an equal voice, respect, and consideration throughout the
workshops. Considered Judgement: Focusing discussions on facts, future possibilities, and the needs of all
stakeholder.
Addressing the need, There has been need for action in the area for some time. We has been aware of the environmental and social need for change. Research was conducting using various stakeholders to gain a comprehensive understanding of the issues. Collaboration with the residence of Church Hill to brainstorm and explore ideas. Organize a co-creation workshop to engage/educate citizens and develop on potential idea while also maintaining a relationship with the residence and ongoing communication for feedback.
Develop the official concept design with the stakeholders. Pilot design by creating pilot or smaller version of the actions created and involve the community in testing it. Implementation and Scaling based on the pilot version of some actions, refine and implement these into the initiative on a larger scale. Monitor and Report, this will be the final step implemented in a number if years to allow for adaptability, recreation from other countries/areas. It will allow Offaly County Council to depict the progress if the NBS and the solutions and to implement new ideas/solutions if needed.
The co creation approach and the methodology elements can be replicated in all kinds of projects, groups, and places. Co-creation is all about collaboration to achieve common goals through shared knowledge, creativity and resources. This initiative did not create this method therefore it has been used countless times in terms of project design. This method can be replicated by tailoring it to the project’s specific needs. Understand the main objectives and goals of the project and who the stakeholders are. Identify the umbrella challenges and opportunities and align them with what resonates with the stakeholders. Many methods of co-creation such as workshops, focus groups and co-designing have been proven to grow community engagement and support and are easily transferable from one project to another.
Learnings (monitoring and reporting) the learnings of this project have not yet been identified although many studies have been done to show the positive impacts that climate action initiatives, biodiversity and community involvement can have a person’s wellbeing. Aspects such as mental wellbeing before and after, biodiversity levels, pollution levels, water and soil quality, flood risks, pollinator species, habitat regeneration will be monitored and reported on after implementation of the project. Other project can take our learnings from these reports and use them as a guide when implementing similar initiatives.
Climate Action activities rain gardens/rain playgrounds. Nature Based Solutions like rain gardens have been designed and disseminated all over Ireland and Europe in the last number of years and have been shown to significantly decrease rainwater run-off and flooding in urban areas. Each rain garden has the same objective to primarily focus on storm water management and enhancing environmentally quality using nature. They can be recreated in urban areas through correct design, planning and knowledge from environmental experts.
Learnings (monitoring and reporting) the learnings of this project have not yet been identified although many studies have been done to show the positive impacts that climate action initiatives, biodiversity and community involvement can have a person’s wellbeing. Aspects such as mental wellbeing before and after, biodiversity levels, pollution levels, water and soil quality, flood risks, pollinator species, habitat regeneration will be monitored and reported on after implementation of the project. Other project can take our learnings from these reports and use them as a guide when implementing similar initiatives.
Climate Action activities rain gardens/rain playgrounds. Nature Based Solutions like rain gardens have been designed and disseminated all over Ireland and Europe in the last number of years and have been shown to significantly decrease rainwater run-off and flooding in urban areas. Each rain garden has the same objective to primarily focus on storm water management and enhancing environmentally quality using nature. They can be recreated in urban areas through correct design, planning and knowledge from environmental experts.
Flooding is a global issue due to climate change and was reported as the most common natural disaster in 2023. The implementation of Nature Based Flood Defences such as rain gardens is a preventive measure to fight against flooding I the Tullamore area. The improvement of soil quality will support soil retention in the floodplain and therefore also decrease the risk of floods. These are location solutions to global challenge of flooding.
Waste pollution is a huge environmental challenge and the impacts it has such as decreased water quality and habitat destruction are detrimental. The removal of illegal waste on the project site and the implementation of the climate action park aims to alleviate the issues of waste pollution in the area. The sight proposed to have community bins that have the correct signs and education attached. Testing will be done after the initiative is implemented to determine the improvement of water quality after the removal of public waste.
This climate action river park aims to address the global issue of a lack of climate change adaptation. Adaptation involves actions to reduce vulnerability to climate impacts such as extreme weather and biodiversity loss, which effects all regions of the world. This initiative is on a local scale and aims to support Church Hill and Tullamore to adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Building climate resilience is also a global issue and goes hand in hand with climate adaptation. This climate action river park is aiming to support Tullamore in become more resilient to the averse affects of climate change.
This initiative also addresses the global issue of climate change, biodiversity loss and citizens awareness.
Waste pollution is a huge environmental challenge and the impacts it has such as decreased water quality and habitat destruction are detrimental. The removal of illegal waste on the project site and the implementation of the climate action park aims to alleviate the issues of waste pollution in the area. The sight proposed to have community bins that have the correct signs and education attached. Testing will be done after the initiative is implemented to determine the improvement of water quality after the removal of public waste.
This climate action river park aims to address the global issue of a lack of climate change adaptation. Adaptation involves actions to reduce vulnerability to climate impacts such as extreme weather and biodiversity loss, which effects all regions of the world. This initiative is on a local scale and aims to support Church Hill and Tullamore to adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Building climate resilience is also a global issue and goes hand in hand with climate adaptation. This climate action river park is aiming to support Tullamore in become more resilient to the averse affects of climate change.
This initiative also addresses the global issue of climate change, biodiversity loss and citizens awareness.
Improved biodiversity, sustainability and climate action in Tullamore, near the Tullamore River basin allowing for improved water quality and habitat protection.
A cohesive and inclusive project involving all the residents in the design from the beginning to the development of the project and to the final stages contributing to a sense of place and a sense of pride for the community.
Development of an inclusive and active vision for the estate improving the perception of the estate from within and from the outside leading to a reduction in anti-social behaviour and illegal activity which can result from unused spaces. Creating a community green space which increases community ownership and, protects and enhances the natural environment to work positively towards climate action.
A cohesive and inclusive project involving all the residents in the design from the beginning to the development of the project and to the final stages contributing to a sense of place and a sense of pride for the community.
Development of an inclusive and active vision for the estate improving the perception of the estate from within and from the outside leading to a reduction in anti-social behaviour and illegal activity which can result from unused spaces. Creating a community green space which increases community ownership and, protects and enhances the natural environment to work positively towards climate action.
