High quality green spaces are good for citizens and visitors’ health and well-being.
Our cities are getting noisier and sound impacts our experience of those spaces.
As well as being reactive to reducing excessive noise (unwanted sounds) we should have a more holistic approach and be proactive to draw attention to the need to acknowledge and appreciate those qualities that make our parks tranquil spaces for all citizens of Limerick. The Council has evidence that the dominance of natural sounds (birds singing, leaves rustling etc.) and human sounds (conversation, movement etc.) increases our perception of the pleasantness and vibrancy of our parks. This is based on soundwalks (listening walks) with the public and visitors to Limerick using a soundscape approach which takes account of people’s emotional responses to their sound environment (see links below). It is an approach that can also be used to identify potential measures to improve the pleasantness where noise might prevail.
Further information available at these links:
- Public Art Commission People’s Park Soundscape
- Limerick City and County Council’s Ground-breaking Acoustic Study Wins Prestigious Accolade at ‘Noise Oscars’
- People’s Park Quiet Area Designation
If you are a Community group, (e.g. Tidy Towns, community hub etc) or school that would like to assess the sound environment in a park in your area please email customerservices@limerick.ie with “Soundscapes” in the subject line of your email and we will revert”.