Marina Park: A dialogue between river and city

Marina Park in Cork embodies many facets of the city. It fulfils the long-standing promise of creating a regional park to the east of the city. Like many former industrial cities, Cork has significant decommissioned industrial areas along the river, adjacent to its city centre. Today, these areas present an opportunity for residential development and the redevelopment of public spaces. Marina Park is a key component in Cork’s ambition to develop its docklands industrial area into a lively and integrated neighbourhood for the city.

Catalyst for transformation of Cork’s docklands

Designed on a former brownfield site of derelict showground buildings, a Gaelic sports stadium, and a run-down natural zone, the park transforms a complex, fragmented context into a unified landscape. Guided by an overarching vision, the park is realised in distinct phases, structured around three coherent yet diverse landscapes: an urban park, the Eco Park and Marina Promenade.

Embracing the water: an adaptable park

The park plays a vital role in managing storm water runoff, not only within the park but also for the surrounding residential areas, and future dockland development. It presents a landscape-oriented solution for urban adaptation, accommodating the temporary storage of increased or extreme rainfall events and rising sea levels.
Water becomes the backbone of the park, harmoniously integrating natural wetland areas with social gathering and event spaces. The integrated approach to landscape, water engineering, and cultural heritage results in a well-balanced park that transforms the contextual challenges of temporary water storage into one of the park’s stand out features.

An energetic gathering point

The most urban and multifunctional part of the park has been put into use. Here, the park gracefully embraces the renovated Gaelic sports stadium, extending the space for events and matches. Where the various entrances to the park converge, a new striking pavilion stands. The ‘Central Hall’ re-purposes structures from the former exhibition grounds and houses a coffee bar. Additionally, the strong connection between the square and water is made accessible to visitors with a striking water feature. A grid of fountains creates a creative play object as an attractive meeting point in the park.

The park to connect with nature

The Eco-Park spans 13 hectares and is a key part of the broader Masterplan, focusing on preserving existing green spaces and heritage, while incorporating a strong blue framework to enhance biodiversity and climate resilience. Designed to move from urban edges into progressively natural habitats, it balances recreation with ecological stewardship: native Irish species will support woodlands, meadows, grassland and marsh. The flexible layout allows future activities and unique features to be added within the overall framework. Formal and informal paths create varied visitor experiences, while water features and shorelines are improved to support wildlife and amenities.

The new riverside route

Supporting Cork’s ambitions for active movement, the Marina Promenade introduces an important slow traffic route along the river Lee. The new car-free shared pathway for pedestrians and bicycles is running through the beautiful double tree-row of mature existing trees.

The promenade provides a unique attraction for Cork city and serves to integrate the Marina Park, the Passage Railway Greenway and the new developments of Blackrock Village and Docklands. This promenade has existed since mid-18th century, used as a tracking wall to guide ships up the River Lee to Cork Harbour, but later was taken over by car traffic. The new design provides a safe, attractive and enjoyable experience and encourages a flow of people to explore the riverside and the park alongside it.

Aligned with the city’s vision for sustainable growth in balance with natural preservation, Marina Park invites exploration of an area where history, nature, and contemporary life coexist. Positioned a short distance from the city centre, the completed park spans 70 acres, significantly expanding Cork’s green spaces. As a green stage for activity, it is set to be a driving force in Cork’s development as a climate-adaptive, sustainable and healthy city.

Collaboration: REDSCAPE (landscape), O’Connor Sutton Cronin (OCSC) (Engineers), Howley Hayes Cooney (heritage consultant)
Client: Muncipality of Cork
Photography: Jason Gairn, Cork City Council / Darragh Kane

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