Sir, – Dr Ray Bassett (Letters, April 23rd) wrote of chaos in the Phoenix Park over Easter as families from Kerry, Belfast, Cork and Galway visiting Dublin Zoo struggled to find parking. Dr Bassett has attributed this to the new cycle lanes on Chesterfield Avenue, which resulted in the removal of 50 parking spaces.
I am delighted to share with Dr Bassett the news that 2,000 parking spaces remain in the park, including 260 spaces in the Lord’s Walk car park and 120 spaces in the cricket grounds, which the Dublin Zoo website advises parking in.
Dr Bassett must be delighted that the “Green Agenda” means families in his Dublin 15 locale, such as Castleknock, can now cycle safely through the park, to Dublin Zoo, in just 12 minutes!
I would therefore consider Dublin Zoo well serviced for families both inside and outside Dublin, both of whom also have the option to take public transport to the park, or park and Luas from the Red Cow to Heuston. This would have the added benefit of leaving parking nearest the Zoo available for those who truly need it due to accessibility, which Dublin Zoo caters for with mobility scooter access, wheelchair access and wheelchair rental, according to its website.
I would also like to share the following money-saving “hack” for able-bodied families wishing to save on the €15.50 gate price to Dublin Zoo next Monday, a bank holiday. If fit and healthy children are unable to undertake the leisurely 15-minute walk from the gates of the park, well serviced by public transport, to Dublin Zoo itself, then parents can put that money right back into their pockets – there is no point going to Dublin Zoo at all, as the children won’t be able to walk the estimated three hours around it. – Yours, etc,
Dr MARIA
O’BRIEN,
Bayside,
Dublin 13.