COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM/TEMPLEOGUE-TERENURE AREA COMMITTEE
Tuesday, March 12, 2019
QUESTION NO. 8
QUESTION: Councillor D. Looney
"To ask the Chief Executive to provide an update on all remaining playspace and teen space programme works in the area under the remit of this Committee, including a projected timeline for such?"
REPLY:
The proposal in relation to the provision of teenage facilities has recently being approved by the Council with capital funding also being approved. In 2019 it is intended to progress the projects at the following locations:
- Collinstown Park
- Griffeen Park; Esker side
- Ballycragh Park
- Kingswood Open Space
- Avonbeg Open Space
In relation to the RTT area the proposal is as follows:
Ballycragh Park: It is proposed to augment the facilities at this location to allow for a formal activity area for teenagers wit equipment designed for use by older children. Seating and Wi-Fi is to be incorporated into the plans. The estimated cost is €110,000.
The project is at an early design stage. Therefore the programme cannot be fully confirmed as yet. However an outline stage programme is as follows: The preliminary design for this project is underway. Once completed it will be subject to detailed design and the required procurement and tender processes. Subject to successful procurement processes the programme for construction will be agreed with the successful contractor. Public Realm are currently in discussions with the Broadband Officer in relation to accessing grants to provide broadband access.
Playspace programme:
The playspace programme is nearing completion and the following projects are at construction phase with the contractor appointed and works will be completed within the coming weeks: Whitechurch (substantially complete), Tymon Park-Limekiln and Glendown open space. The proposed design for Delaford is being considered in the context of the proposed adjacent school. Both Greenhills Park and Perrystown playgrounds are at tender stage with tenders received and being assessed. Subject to successful tender processes a contractor will be appointed shortly to both and construction programme can then be agreed.
Other playgrounds:
- A playground was included within the Part 8 for new schools at Firhouse. The preliminary design for this project will commence shortly to identify a suitable location and designs will be finalised and tendered thereafter.
- There is also a proposed playground at Dodder Valley. The following response was made in the Chief Executive’s Report to submissions made during the Part 8 process for recreational facilities in Mount Carmel area: “The provision of a large play space in Dodder Valley Park is agreed in principle. Due to the scale of the proposed play space and the ecological constraints within the Dodder Valley it is proposed to progress this play space as a separate Part 8 process. The location and detail will be subject to a feasibility study, ecological and environmental evaluation and design considerations. It is unlikely that this particular portion of Dodder Valley off Firhouse Road will be suitable due to the ecological constraints. However the exact location will be considered at the preliminary design stage by evaluating the available options against the established need, the site requirements, the constraints and evaluating the ecological and environmental and other issues / factors in the area. As per usual in the Part 8 process, elected representatives and the general public will have an opportunity to input into the plan for the proposed play space and view the accompanying reports. Both projects (the current Part 8 proposals and the proposed play space subject to a Part 8) will progress separately as the decision of the council with regard to each will be separate ones.” A location for the proposed playground in Dodder Valley is not proposed as yet and will be subject to the considerations as outlined within the quoted section above and a seperate Part 8 process.