Cortober Riverside Park

Murray & Associates, Landscape Architecture were commissioned by Roscommon Co. Council in 2007 to prepare a landscape masterplan and management proposals for the improvement of an existing park on the bank of the Shannon, across the main N4 bridge from Carrick-on-Shannon.  Construction commenced on the public garden in 2008 and the redevelopment was completed in approximately 6 months.

The design proposals endeavoured to achieve the following:

• To provide a high quality space which creates an inviting atmosphere to the park.
• To provide inclusive play areas for children.
• The brief outlined by Roscommon Co. Council stipulated that the design should accommodate a future marina.

The Site
Located on the western bank of the Shannon, the movement of the river dominates the site and provides a mesmerising focus for views.  There are several existing mature Horse Chestnuts along the road boundary (west) which are retained.  A considerable amount of shrub planting that divided and secluded the park from supervision has now been removed.  There is a slipway into the river which is accommodated in the design and several flights of steps that need to be replaced.

Landscape proposals
The park was intended to provide structured and accessible space on the waterfront.  The form of the park is influenced by the flow of the river and the main structural motif is a long, fluid, curving hard space to the rivers edge, which widens out to form a plaza at the northern part of the site, with more intimate spaces at the southern end.  The sloping topography of the site is dealt with by the divisions between these spaces.

Play areas are provided for different age groups as well as several seating spaces and a performance area.  The park is designed to be universally accessible, despite the sloping topography, with ramped access from the north.  The pre-existing stone steps have been addressed to make them safe and accessible.