2020 Vision for Athy - Entire Document - Kildare.ie

These sites are strategically located to provide parking within acceptable walking distance of the town centre,
whilst minimising vehicular movement in the town centre cell by attracting shoppers from the town’s main arterial
routes. Recent guidance on acceptable walking distances (‘Guidelines for Journey’s on Foot’ by the IHT) suggests
that the acceptable walking distance from car parks for people without mobility impairment requiring access to
common facilities (e.g. shops, banks etc.) is 400m. In all of the above cases, the car parks located on the edge of
the town centre cell would satisfy these criteria.
Objective 11 Create opportunities for cultural, social community and passive and active leisure
activities that maximise the potential of the existing heritage and amenity.
One of the primary aims of this Study has been to unlock and develop the immense potential which the town has to
offer in relation to its physical, cultural and historic environment. This section outlines the various opportunities
available throughout the town.
Civic Squares
Emily Square
Emily Square offers an exciting opportunity to develop a new civic
space in the heart of the town. The reduction in vehicular movements
in the area in addition to the removal of a substantial quantum of
parking creates opportunities for enhanced pedestrian activity.
Furthermore the Square boasts a unique composition of
interconnecting public spaces with differing character creating
opportunities for a wide range of social activities including markets,
walking, shopping, skateboarding and thereby reinforcing the area as
a vibrant community core. The utilisation of the western riverfront
will facilitate the appreciation of the architectural heritage of the
Square.
Dominican Church
The area around the Dominican Church has significant potential to
develop into a public amenity area with the new civic square
immediately around the church providing a balance to the historic
Emily Square. The Square is an appropriate location for a cultural
facility such as a theatre, a gallery or a cinema. The proposed
development will emphasise the amenity value of river and canal by
utilising waterfront sites for tourist-orientated facilities such as cafés
and restaurants, in particular between the Church and Cromaboo
Bridge. The design of the square will also incorporate bus set down facilities, further adding to its attraction to
visitors and tourists. Attractive river- and canal side walkways and new pedestrian bridges will link the open
countryside with the town centre and will provide varied opportunities for walks and the full appreciation of the
town’s heritage and amenity.
Shaw’s Square Area
The area located north of Leinster Street offers significant potential for the creation of a new waterside civic space,
incorporating amenity walkways along the river, which will offer convivial and convenient access to and from the
town centre. The development of a public park and playing fields to the north of the site would increase the
amenity value of the area. The park could also include an open-air performance space, providing a spectacular
venue by the river and using the historic centre of Athy as a backdrop. The site is also an appropriate location for
the swimming pool. Thus, the area has significant potential, in conjunction with Emily Square and the new square
at the Dominican Church, to maximise the tourism and watersports potential of the waterways by actively turning
future development towards the waterfront and improving river and canal walks.
Athy IFPLUT Study 104 Final Report December 2004