COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

MOTION NO. 16

MOTION: Councillor A.M. Dermody

"That this Committee calls on the Manager to identify and collate all green spaces within the Ward and large enough to facilitate the maximum use of that space for sporting or recreational use."

REPORT:

All open spaces and parks in the county are provided on the basis of being available for passive or active recreational use.  Passive recreation use is normally viewed as leisurely walking or local informal gatherings by both the younger and older generations.  It can also include the use of small open spaces for local play space activities for children.  Passive recreation is normally the activity associated with the smaller local open spaces but passive recreation can also involve the appreciation of nature during the time that a person is present in an open space or park, either large or small.

In contrast active recreation involves a range of activities that includes, inter alia, individual or group fitness walking and a range of sporting activities, either formally or informally organised.  It also includes larger play spaces for older children and teenagers and it can also involve the provision of allotment spaces.  Active recreation normally takes place in larger open spaces or park settings. 

It is considered that the range of spaces provided by the Council is quite diverse.  However, there are always opportunities for the provision of more or alternative facilities and the Council does try to meet these objectives as far as it can through the use of its own or outside resources and often in partnership with these outside organisations.