'It's basic fairness' - a trek for people from Kilbarry to access Waterford's Kilbarry Nature Park
There is currently no entranceway from Kilbarry into Kilbarry Nature Park.
People living around Kilbarry Nature Park in Waterford are facing the oddest of obstacles: they can't enter the park itself.
The 150-acre park was officially opened in 2012 by then-Uachtarán Michael D. Higgins, having formerly been used as a landfill site.
The park is home to a 2km tarmacadam walkway adorned with wildflower meadows and nature trails.
The entrance to the park is located on the Tramore Road on the outskirts of Waterford City. However, there is no entrance to the park from the Kilbarry direction.
Independent Councillor Donal Barry criticised the lack of access, especially when communities in Ballybeg, Lacken and Killbarry are "crying out" for more amenities to be added to the area.
Cllr Barry said: "Kilbarry Nature Park should be helping to fill that gap, but instead local people are looking at it through a fence. This is one of the most densely populated and expanding communities across Waterford.
"Waterford City and County Council is always talking about active travel, healthier communities and investing in public spaces. Well, here's a chance to actually show that those aren't just words. This is a practical project that would make a real difference to people's daily lives."
Cllr Barry spoke about the unfairness of locals being denied a simple entryway into their own nature park.
He continued: "Nobody is asking for anything unreasonable. Local people are simply asking to be able to use a public park that sits beside their homes. It's time to stop delaying this. It's time to stop making excuses. Open the access, open the gates and let the people of Kilbarry, Ballybeg and Lacken enjoy the same public amenity as everyone else in Waterford."
He added: "That's not a big ask. It's basic fairness."
