COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, September 12, 2011

MOTION NO. 16

MOTION: Councillor E. Higgins

That the Manager investigates the economics, practicalities and insurance/liability implications of installing an exercise area in parks where playgrounds already exist. Such an area would offer park users opportunity to use gym-like equipment for free in their local park. This is common practice on the continent where the equipment used is heavy duty, has anti-graffiti properties and cannot be easily vandalised.

REPORT:

Adult exercise equipment is typically provided in other European countries as part of playground provision and also as exercise trails in public parks. The equipment is stand alone and can be used either individually or as part of a sequence of exercises. South Dublin County Council has already provided adult exercise equipment as part of the new playground in Sean Walsh Park which was opened to the public in 2009. Staff from the Parks & Landscape Services Department have also reviewed adult exercise trails provided in public parks in both the Fingal County Council and Dublin City Council administrative areas and have discussed the operating experience with staff in those authorities. As a result of those discussions, it does not appear that there are any particular insurance / liability implications for a local authority in providing such equipment, over and above the standard duty of care which must be exercised in providing any facility / equipment for public use. The Council is seeking confirmation of this from Irish Public Bodies Insurance Company. 

In order to progress the matter, the Council is seeking funding support from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport for the provision of adult exercise trails in Corkagh, Griffeen Valley and Tymon Regional Parks. In the event that the applications for funding are successful, match funding would need to be identified by the Council in order to proceed to purchase and install the equipment in the three Regional Parks. The cost of providing an exercise trail of between six and eight items of equipment, associated construction and re-instatement works, signage, etc,  is estimated to be in the region of €50,000 per trail.