COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

MOTION NO. 7

MOTION: Councillor A.M. Dermody

"That the Manager deal with the issue once again of the non-availability of a playgound in the Knocklyon area, this motion is requested on this occasion by the members of Knocklyon Network, but has appeared before this Committee on several occasions.  It appears that a suitable location namely at Cherrywood has been identified and the residents are asking for an explanation as to why Tymom Park in particular continues to get a steady flow of revenue into the development of that Park with no similar investment in the Rathfarnham ward."

REPORT:

A meeting was held in Spring 2013 with the Knocklyon Network to discuss a range of issues including play provision.  A representative from Public Realm and the Heritage Officer attended the meeting.  Whilst a proposal for a play facility at Cherrywood was discussed, the Council view was that it would be premature to provide a play facility at this location since

·        Although the Cherryfield site is a good one there is no on site security at the location

·        The site is not listed in the Playground Construction Programme

It was also proposed to the Network that a far more suitable and sustainable site would be on an open space in the Knocklyon residential area and adjacent to a local school and that would result in a facility close to a residential area and that would have use from school children during the week also. 

However, the Council is now currently reviewing the policy in relation to the provision of playgrounds throughout the county.  The review of the Council's Playground Programme will be completed within the coming weeks and will be included in the 3 Year capital Programme to be presented to Members as part of the budgetary process.

In relation to investment in Tymon Park it should be noted that the playground on the Tymon North side of the park was removed some years ago and although the replacement of it is included in the Playground Construction Programme no work has actually commenced on site.  It is also relevant that the Council has invested considerable resources in the provision of a playground in Rathfarnham Castle Park and which facilitates the population of the Knocklyon area also.