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Sat 05 May 2007HorizonsOPW plans to improve park lifeWhen a transport study commissioned by the Office of Public Works found that about 10 million car journeys were made through the Phoenix Park every year, even the officials in charge were aghast at the finding.Curtailing the use of minor roads for "rat-running", cutting the speed limits within the parks and developing a system of one-way exits and entrances at some of the park gates were immediately proposed as measures to reduce traffic. Since the study last year, few of these measures have been put in place, but a spokesman for the OPW said they remain on the agenda of the new park-management plan, which also includes protection of flora and fauna (particularly the deer population), development of recreational uses (such as an extensive cycling network) and conservation and enhancement of the natural landscape (tree planting, for example). Members of the public are now invited to express their views on how the park - which is the largest urban park in Europe - should be managed. Submissions should be made by post or e-mail to Laura Farrell, Superintendent's Office, OPW Whitefields, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8. E-mail: laura.farrell@opw.ie. June 5th is the closing date.