COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, June 26, 2018

MOTION NO. 10

MOTION: Councillor D. O'Brien

"That this Area Committee requests the Chief Executive provide a report on the recent act of vandalism in Griffeen Valley Playground and for this report to include the total number of reports of vandalism that have been reported since the playground was opened. Also, if the Council have any plan in place to prevent more damage to the playground." 

REPORT:

Dublin Fire Brigade responded to an incident in Griffeen Valley Park during the night of Sunday June 10th. They attended a small localised fire which damaged a wooden sculpture of a Troll. There was no damage to other items of play equipment. The sculpture is being examined to see if it can be restored. As the damage was localised, the park and playground remain open.

Since the playground opened there have been 3 reported incidences of damage to the playground. The reports relate to damage to the playground fence, damage to a tunnel and the recent damage to the troll.

When it comes to designing playgrounds it is generally found that equipment that is most easily broken or burnt are the ones that get vandalised. Therefore when designing public facilities the use of suitable materials and open vistas to encourage play are of paramount importance. In Griffeen playground robust equipment and non-flammable materials were used where possible. This has proved positive and the playground has not had to be closed or any equipment removed due to vandalism. 

The open nature of the playground is sometimes criticised as a contributing factor to the incidents at the playground. It is our experience in Griffeen Valley Park that providing high fencing does not act as a significant deterrent to vandalism. The old playground had a high fence around it and it provided very little security to deter entry. Similarly people enter the skatepark even when it is locked despite the high fence. The hockey pitches have a 6m high fence which is regularly vandalised to gain entry. The exercise equipment on the other hand was installed without any boundary fencing and it is not normally subject to any vandalism.

With regard to preventing future attacks on the playground park users are urged to report any vandalism that they are aware of to the Council. Children should not get involved with any individuals or groups whom they suspect are intent on vandalism and we would urge parents to be aware of where their children are at night and what they are up to. We have a close working relationship with local Gardaí, who have given a lot of resources to preventing problems in Griffeen Valley Park since the playground was reopened. The Council have made a huge commitment to providing high quality play facilities across the county in recent years and we are committed to keeping them open and operational.