COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

QUESTION NO. 10

QUESTION: Councillor F. Timmons

"To ask the Chief Executive for a report into Collinstown Park and what are the plans SDCC have for same?"  

REPLY:

Collinstown Park is in the north Clondalkin area and consists of approximately 20 hectares of parkland. The park is predominately grassland and contains a number of sports pitches licenced to local clubs. It is bounded by the M50 to the east, residential estates to the north and south and a public road to the west with a number of schools and residential estates further to the west.

The park has a number of mature trees set into the parkland setting and these trees have been complemented by new plantings over the years. The park is surrounded by a low wall and railing; which facilitates passive surveillance and it underwent extensive works in the past to limit illegal access by unauthorised vehicles as much as possible. The park is well-served by an extensive perimeter path system.

There was a playground installed in Collinstown Park in the past. Planning and consultation took place between 2004 and 2005 and involved meetings and input from the RAPID Area Implementation Team, Community Representatives, Community Safety Forum workers, the Ronanstown Youth Services and local schools.  In September 2006, an attractive playground was opened for public use, following an investment of €67,000. The playground was well used by local children with regular maintenance and checking of equipment undertaken by the Parks & Landscape Services Department.  Unfortunately in April 2007, the playground was badly damaged rendering it unsafe for further use.  It was with great regret that the equipment had to be removed shortly afterwards. 

The attached map shows pedestrian and vehicular entrances, dressing room location and former playground site location.

With regard to future plans the play space programme 2018 lists north Clondalkin area as an area for progression of a play space.  Collinstown Park could be considered in the public consultation as a possible location in that regard. It should be noted however, that an examination of reports on previous public consultation with regard to playgrounds within the area show opposition. Going forward; the council continue to maintain and repair the park as required. The provision of pitches are a significant resource within the area and the maintenance of same proceeds apace. Significant works undertaken in recent years under the improvement works programme include an upgrade to the vehicular entrance with new piers, gate and pedestrian entrance. As such items arise they will be programmed to the improvement works programme as required and as budgets allow.