Parents urged to Park 'n' Stride in Dundalk

Above: Pictured with the pupils of 6th Class, Dun Dealgan NS at the launch of Park 'n' Stride in Dundalk are L-R: Cllr Sean Kelly, Cathaoirleach Dundalk Municipal District; Sergeant Ronan Loftus, Community Policing Unit; Paddy Malone, Dundalk Chamber of Commerce; Garda Darragh Prior, Community Policing Unit; and Laura McDonnell, 6th Class Teacher, Dun Dealgan NS

In an effort to help alleviate traffic congestion in Dundalk, as well as to encourage parents and young people engage in more healthy activities, an appeal has gone out to parents this week to rethink their daily commute and take part in the Park 'n' Stride initiative.

Louth County Council has joined forces with Dundalk Chamber of Commerce and An Garda Síochána in an appeal to Louth parents and students to rethink their daily commute. The campaign was launched to coincide with EU Mobility Week 2024 which is currently running from 16 to 22 September. A key event of the week is the car-free day, best known as ‘Park ‘n’ Stride’.

Debbie Larkin, Principal of Dun Dealgan National School welcomed the initiative: “Children travelling to school by car can increase congestion at schools. Walking or cycling together with options such as Park ‘n’ Stride, carpooling and public transport are all excellent ways of incorporating low carbon transport and exercise into our daily commutes allowing us all to enjoy cleaner air”.

Cllr Seán Kelly, Cathaoirleach of Dundalk Municipal District spoke of the benefits of the scheme in Dundalk. “We are all familiar with the increased levels of traffic on the roads following the return of schools after the summer break.

“The Park ‘n’ Stride is an initiative allows pupils travelling in cars to be dropped close to the school to complete the remainder of the journey on foot. It’s an alternative option for those who cannot change their travel patterns entirely but who want to avoid the traffic bottlenecks in the vicinity of the school gate.”

Adrian O’Sullivan, Road Safety officer with Louth County Council highlighted the benefits of the initiative. “Many of us struggle to find the time to get active during the day with much of our routine made up of sitting: in traffic, at a desk, or in front of a screen.

“Sitting for prolonged periods can double your chances of developing heart disease and stroke. Using active transport modes which are emission-free can help keep all our hearts and bodies healthy. Walking to school is great for children, and it also helps to build up their road safety skills”.

Park ‘n’ Stride is also supported by An Garda Síochána. Sergeant Ronan Loftus from the Community Policing Unit welcomed the initiative saying: “Park ‘n’ Stride allows parking in the designated car parks reducing the daily congestion at school gates making it a safer place for children while reducing the stress levels of parents who otherwise would have to struggle to find a parking space close to the school gate.”

The initiative has been welcomed by Paddy Malone from Dundalk Chamber of Commerce who believes the free parking available as part of the initiative should encourage more people to avail of the many town centre shops and other attractions.

“Dundalk is an excellent place to meet friends, have a coffee and of course shop. The Chamber encourages all parents to apply for the scheme and for all retailers to let their customers know. The flexibility of the afternoon times allows for shopping either before or after the school finishes”.

Parents or guardians of pupils attending any Dundalk school can fill out the online registration form at louthcoco.ie/ParknStride. They will then receive a Park ‘n’ Stride permit to display inside the front windshield of their car for use at any of the fourteen participating locations.

This allows the registered vehicle to avail of up to two hours free parking per day in designated carparks displaying the distinctive blue Park ‘n’ Stride logo, consisting of up to 60 minutes between 8:30am and 9:30am and a further 60 minutes between 1:00pm and 4:00pm.

Car parks currently participating in the scheme are: McEntee Avenue Cark Park, Rogers Car Park (Rampart Road), Dundalk Library, Rampart Road Long Term Car Park, Meadow Grove Car Park, Aura Leisure, St Joseph’s Redemptorist Car Park, Linenhall Street Car Park, The Longwalk Long Stay Car Park, Clanbrassil Centre Car Park, Longwalk Shopping Centre, Tesco Extra Car Park and Lidl Car Parks (Avenue Road and St Helena’s Terrace stores).