COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, January 14, 2019
QUESTION NO. 18
QUESTION: Councillor F. Timmons
To ask the Chief Executive for a report that states progress on playspaces within SDCC and outlines how much has been spent on the Playspace Programme, how much is left in the playspace budget and what playspaces are to be done before the end of the current Council?
REPLY:
The Playspace programme in South Dublin County Council is a programme that commenced in 2014. The provision of playgrounds in the recent past concentrated on large, formally equipped and defined playgrounds with highly specialised equipment. The playspace programme aims to provide opportunities to play. This type of play allows children to develop their imagination, challenge their abilities, deal with risk and, critically, adapt their own environment.
The Play Space programme was established following the identification of a deficit of play areas for children in this county. This was documented in the policy document ‘Developing play in South Dublin County’ adopted by the Council in June 2006. However the development of play areas / playgrounds did not result in the immediate aftermath, due to the economic downturn and lack of development generally.
In recent years there has been an emphasis on the physical and mental well-being of children. Over the past 20 years there has been a significant rise in levels of obesity, childhood diabetes, high levels of stress and increasing sedentary lifestyles. A report the National Taskforce on Obesity estimates that 300,000 children in Ireland are now obese.
Due to a variety of factors children are less likely to wander far from their own homes. A study in the UK documented the distance children travelled from home for play; the results showed that the distance children roam from home on their own has shrunk by 90% since the 70s; 43% of adults think a child shouldn't play outdoors unsupervised until the age of 14. So children are increasingly confined to the immediate environs of their homes.
Delivery of Playspace Programme 2014-2018
The Play Space Programme is in the final stages of completion. The programme has been very successful to date and has progressed through the significant active involvement from elected members and local communities, and direct engagement with children; this Council is recognised favourably for creating new play opportunities close to where children live. A new type of play space delivery has been achieved – using the concepts of Natural Play and where children can create their own play opportunities.
Delivery to date
The following 17 play space projects have been constructed to date at an overall cost of approx. €1.2 million:
- Griffeen Avenue, Lucan
- Sarsfield Park, Lucan
- Hermitage Park, Lucan
- Riversdale Estate
- Quarryvale Park, Clondalkin
- Rathcoole Park
- Knockmitten Park
- Aylesbury Park
- Avonbeg Park
- Sean Walsh Park
- Brookview Estate
- Killinarden
- Kilnamanagh (Tree Park and Park Hill)
- Kingswood
- Beechfield Park
- Ballycragh Park
- Glendoher Park
Planned Programme:
The total budget to complete the play space programme in is approximately €1,200,000. Design and build construction tenders are underway for a number of sites throughout the county. The following playgrounds are currently being completed as part of the 2014 - 2018 playspace programme.
|
Location |
Status |
|
Ballymount Park |
Contractor appointed |
|
Bancroft Park |
Contractor appointed |
|
Glendown |
Contractor appointed |
|
Jobstown Park (large) |
Design complete- Tender date Jan 2019 |
|
Lucan Demesne |
Contractor appointed |
|
Tymon Limekiln |
Contractor appointed |
|
Whitechurch |
Contractor appointed |
|
Willsbrook Park |
Contractor appointed |
|
Perrystown |
Tender stage |
|
Greenhills |
Tenders received |
|
Newcastle (Dept of ED site) |
Contractor appointed |
|
Collinstown Park (large) |
Design complete - Tender date Jan 2019 |
|
Delaford |
Delayed due to school developments |
|
Old Bawn |
Tender stage |
Upgrade works
|
Location |
Status |
|
Willington refurbishment works |
Procurement complete- appointment stage |
|
Tymon natural playground- sensory play area |
Procurement completed- Appointment stage |
|
Ballycragh fencing and upgrade |
Procurement completed- appointment stage |
|
Whitechurch Community Centre |
Procurement stage |
|
Corkagh Park |
Tender stage |
Consultations were carried out at Boot Rd and Cannonbrook and it was decided not to proceed with playspaces at these locations; however existing playgrounds are being reviewed for any upgrades required. Going forward new playspaces can continue to be built at other locations where appropriate, however future projects will require funding approval through an annual capital budget allocation.