Here’s what Bishop Lucey Park will look like under the new plans.

Cork City Council has unveiled a digital rendering of its plans for a refurbished medieval quarter — a €46million plan financed by the government’s Urban Regeneration and Development Fund.

The council has described the project as “one of the most transformative public realm renewal programmes undertaken in the city.” Plans are in place for changes to be made to Bishop Lucey Park and its surrounding streets beginning next year.

A digital video rendering of the plans was shared on Twitter.

🌆Plans for Cork City Centre’s historic medieval quarter have been unveiled
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One of the most transformative public realm renewal programmes undertaken in the city will begin next year -including improvements to Bishop Lucey park & surrounding streets

👩‍💻https://t.co/VuX7kPifZC pic.twitter.com/FCN68ivFn8

— Cork City Council #StaySafe (@corkcitycouncil) August 10, 2021

Changes to the park are designed to “open up the park to the wider city centre, re-imagines space within it, has many biodiversity gains and protects and highlights the city’s medieval wall.”

As described in its proposal, there are four key thresholds involved in the regeneration of the park:

1. Tower: A small tower or campanile (redolent, perhaps, of the towers that once punctuated the city’s walls, and the steeple that once adorned the adjacent Christchurch) overlooks the square and South Main Street to the west. It will have the flexibility to hold banners/lighting rigs for a variety of events throughout the year.

2. Pavilion: to the east, a low linear structure (with wildflowers growing on its roof) has horizontal qualities which relate to both the Medieval Wall and the lateral expanse of Grand Parade

3. Shelter: A more modest version of both the tower and pavilion, it offers a sheltered space to the northwest corner of the park, addressing Christchurch Lane.

4. Bridge: Adjacent to the Pavilion lies a Bridge – spanning across the Medieval Wall from the park to Grand Parade. The Bridge underscores the shift of conditions across the Wall – moving between eras of Cork’s history.

Corkonians are encouraged to make submissions regarding the plans, and can do so online here.