COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE

Monday, March 27, 2017

QUESTION NO.16

QUESTION: Councillor C. O'Connor

"To ask the Chief Executive to present an update on the development of the new playground at Tymon Park, Tallaght and in reporting will he give assurances in respect of concerns of the local community regarding the future supervision of the facility?"

REPLY:

Construction works on the new playground at Tymon Park have been completed except for a few minor items. It is expected that the RoSPA safety inspection will be carried out this week.  Over the past week Council staff have been on site carrying out tree planting work and the playground is starting to look really impressive.  There is huge anticipation locally about the playground and there are onlookers admiring the works and taking photos there right throughout the day.

The construction works had been delayed by 3 weeks due to the late arrival of equipment from Germany and the Czech Republic.  During the works there were  several weeks of heavy rainfall which softened the ground and made work with the soil impossible.  At this point the whole area has been seeded and time is required to allow the grass time to establish.  It is proposed to have the site open for the school Easter holidays.

Throughout the build it was remarkable that there were no problems of encroachment or vandalism on site.  On virtually every site it is expected that children may try to enter the site and play there in the evenings.  This has not happened in Tymon.  It is believed that the reason for this is the chosen location in the park.  There is also no history of anti-social activity at this location. The playground is located in the most public park of the park, directly beside the Park Rangers Offices and very close to the Caretaker apartments. 

The nature of the design is also important in deterring anti-social activity and vandalism once the playground opens.  From experience we know that anti-social activity predominantly takes place on harder surfaces- tarmac areas, tennis courts etc rather than on grass, sand or woodchip.  This is an internationally observed phenomenon and part of the rationale for natural playspaces. 

We have selected softer surfacing in the playspace which is not easily vandalised or burnt.  All of the equipment has been chosen for its robustness.  The main piece of equipment that attracts attention is kept to one side of the playspace in a very public area.  The area has been designed as much as possible to eliminate hidden areas in the playspace.

We believe all that these measures combined will ensure the playground will be adequately supervised and will serve the needs of the children of the area for many years to come.