COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, May 17, 2017

MOTION NO. 6

MOTION: Councillor K. Egan

To ask the Chief Executive  to supply a visible time table of opening/closing hours at Knockmitten Centre play space,  and to continue with the closure of the play space over the week ends. There is too much of a risk in relation to vandalism if left open.

REPORT:

"The Public Realm Section started opening and closing the play space at Knockmitten Community Centre at weekends in 2016. While this arrangement was in place for 2016 no arrangement was put in place for 2017. The experiences of the Public Realm staff in 2016 have given rise to the new approach, the details of which are outlined below.

In 2016, the Park Ranger staff were unable to lock the play space on occasions due to the presence of children who refused to leave. It would not be appropriate to lock the children in and so there was no alternative but to leave the play space open. On other occasions the Park Ranger staff were subject to verbal abuse when they attempted to lock the play space.

On account of this occurring on a more frequent basis it was decided to pilot the permanent opening of the play space at weekends on a trial basis. This trial has been ongoing since the April 2017. Should the trail prove successful the play space will remain open on a permanent basis. In the event that the trial proves to be unsuccessful, the locking and opening of the play space over the weekends will be reviewed. The measure of the success of the trial will be determined by the condition of the play space on Monday mornings. So far, apart from the presence of some litter, the trial is proving to be successful.

Should it be required to recommence the opening and closing of the play space at weekends, it may be necessary to lock the play space earlier in the evenings to avoid the problem outlined above. A timetable of opening hours will be considered if required following the trial period."