The Marina in Cork city has been closed for most of 2024 as contractors work on the major refurbishment of the park. During the last week however, they re-opened the Marina itself while other parts of the new park will take a few more months.
The photo above shows the area at the entrance to Holland Park where the new slides are. They really have made an excellent job if it.
The photo above shows the Marina section by the Atlantic Pond and as you can see, the surface is really smooth. It's perfect for anyone roller blading or kids on scooters.
It's also of course perfect for running. The old road surface was pretty poor and even that was an improvement on what it was about 20 years ago when I used to run on it in the dark. The only light was from across the river and it was impossible to make out the potholes and raised edges.
The new Marina won't mean anything unless cars can't get access and with that in mind, there are bollards at both ends.
The photo above shows the city end of the Marina with bollards preventing access to vehicles. The three thicker bollards on the left are retractable which allows access for maintenance staff.
If any race organisers are thinking about using the Marina as part of a route in future, the bollards might be an issue.
When the whole Marina Park project is completed, this will be one of the premier city parks in Cork City.
It's also worth mentioning that some thanks should go to the city councillors who have supported this Marina project since the beginning.
It's hard to believe now but one former councillor in Mayfield was against the project because he thought the Marina should be kept as a road so that 'old people can be taken for a spin on Sundays'. You couldn't make it up.
Fair play to Cork City Council for a job well done. Now for the parkrun...
