COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, February 14, 2011
QUESTION NO. 17
QUESTION: Councillor E. Tuffy
To ask the Manager for an updated report on the review being carried out of the Council's Five Year Playground Programme, and if, as Part of that review, he will examine the option of a revised programme which includes, as well as the provision of regional and local playgrounds, the possibility of the Council working with local residents groups to provide small local play facilities in selected areas on estate open spaces, small parks, where local residents might be prepared to contribute to the financial resources required to provide equipment and the management of such small playgrounds?
REPLY:
The 5 Year Playground Construction Programme was adopted by the Council in December 2006 and arises from the Council’s Play Policy – Developing Play in South Dublin County 2006 – 2009.
The details of the playground programme, as approved by the Council, is set out below:
| Location | Electoral Area |
| Griffeen Valley Park | Lucan Clondalkin |
| Rathfarnham Castle Park | Terenure Rathfarnham |
| Rathcoole Park | Tallaght |
| Sean Walsh Park | Tallaght |
| Tymon Park | Tallaght |
| Corkagh Park | Lucan Clondalkin |
Two of the playgrounds listed on the programme have been completed and are now in public use.
The playground at Sean Walsh Park, Tallaght was opened to the public in March 2009 and the one at Rathfarnham Castle Park was opened in 2008.
The provision of new playgrounds at Griffeen Valley Park, Tymon Park, Corkagh Park are at various stages.
- A Part 8 proposal for the development of the Griffeen Valley Park (Grange Lands) was advertised and adopted in June 2006. This proposal included for the provision of a playground as part of the development of the park.
- Design work on playgrounds at Corkagh Park and Rathcoole Park is subject to identification of suitable sites.
- A pre Part 8 proposal for the replacement playground at Tymon Park (on the Tymon North side of the park) was presented to the Tallaght Area Committee (2) on 22nd Novemeber 2010 and was NOTED by the Members. It is proposed to advertise this for Public Consultation in mid February 2011.
All of these projects are subject to the identification of finance as part of the Capital Programme.
Playgrounds have also been provided under successive RAPID Playground Programmes at Quarryvale, Collinstown Park, Killinarden, Fettercairn, Jobstown, Brookfield, and Kiltalown. Unfortunately, the playground at Collinstown Park was subject to continuous vandalism and had to be removed.
It should also be noted that a number of playgrounds have also been provided in the county by private developers e.g. at Adamstown, Balgaddy and Ballycullen.
A new playground was also provided with the new swimming pool in Clondalkin in 2008.
An interdepartmental Play Policy review group has been establised with members from Parks, Community and Planning Departments as well as the Elected Members. The Play Policy review group will have regard to the experience gained to date, particularly in relation to unsupervised playgrounds - this will also include consideration of the proposal made by Councillor Tuffy for smaller playgrounds in estates in consultation with the local residents and the possibility of participation in the management of them. The Policy Review Group will also have regard to the provision of exercise facilities for Teenagers and adults. Arising from the review and adoption of a new Play Policy by the Council, it is envisaged that one of the actions of the new Play Policy will be the review and updating of the existing Playground Construction Programme which will have regard to the new policy as well as the availability and identification of the necessary finance at that time.