COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, March 08, 2021

QUESTION NO. 9

QUESTION: Councillor Eoin Ó Broin

This council welcomes that over 50 playspaces have been installed as part of the SDCC Playspaces Programme. Can you list by each of the seven electoral areas, the numbers of playspaces that have been installed in each?

REPLY:

The Playspace Programme in South Dublin County 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-to date.

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.

The delivery of the playspace programme was primarily focused on the creation of new natural playspaces. During the programme the Council also incorporated the the refurbishment, retro-fitting and upgrade of pre-existing playgrounds, acknowledging that the benefits accruing from the development of natural playspaces could be extended to popular and well used existing playgrounds. This work continues where possible.

The following is the list of playgrounds and playspaces in the county; with imminently planned playspaces listed at the end.

PLAYSPACES

Lucan                                   

Griffeen Avenue

Hermitage Park

Sarsfield Park

Lucan Demesne

Willsbrook Park

Palmerstown / Fonthill

Waterstown Park

Collinstown Park

Clondalkin                                         

Knockmitten

Rathcoole Park

Tallaght Central                                               

Avonbeg

Bancroft Park

Killinarden

Aylesbury

Kingswood

Kilnamanagh Tree Park Road

Kilnamanagh Parkhill

Ballymount Park

Tallaght South                                                  

Brookview

Firhouse / Bohernabreena

Firhouse

Ballycragh Park

Whitechurch

Rathfarnham/Templeogue

Beechfield Park

Glendoher         

Tymon Limekiln

Glendown

Perrystown

Greenhills

REFURBISHMENT / EXTENSION OF EXISTING PLAYGROUNDS

Tallaght Central

Sean Walsh Park Playground

Palmerstown / Fonthill

Quarryvale Park

Rathfarnham/Templeogue

Tymon Park Playground Willington Entrance

REFURBISHMENT OF REGIONAL PLAYGROUNDS:

Tallaght Central

Tymon Regional Park

Lucan

Griffeen Valley Regional Park

Clondalkin

Corkagh Regional Park

EXISTING PLAYGROUNDS BUILT PRIOR TO PLAYSPACE PROGRAMME

Rathfarnham/Templeogue

Tymon Park Woodland Playground

Rathfarnham Park Playground

Rathfarnham Park Woodland Playground

Tallaght South

Kiltalown Park Playground, Tallaght

Jobstown Community Centre Playground,

Brookfield Community Centre Playground

Fettercairn Community Centre Playground

Carrigmore Park

Lucan

Adamstown Playground

Clondalkin

Camac Valley Caravan Park Playground

Clondalkin Leisure Centre Playground

Palmerstown / Fonthill

Balgaddy Junior & Senior Playground

PLAYSPACES FACILITATED DURING THE PROGRAMME BUT NOT CURRENTLY OWNED/ MANAGED BY PUBLIC REALM:

Clondalkin

Newcastle Cairn Homes Site Newcastle Boulevard

COMMUNITY CENTRE BASED:

Firhouse Bohernabreena

Whitechurch Community Centre Garden Playspace

PLAYSPACE CONSTRUCTION IMMINENT (COVID LOCKDOWN DELAY)

Tallaght Central

Old Bawn Part 8 Playspace A

Firhouse Bohernabreena

Mt Carmel Part 8 Playspace B

Cherryfield Part 8 Playspace C