COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, April 12, 2021
QUESTION NO.2
QUESTION: Councillor Carly Bailey
Can the Chief Executive confirm whether there are any plans to increase the level of outdoor seating and picnic tables in our parks given how important this will be during this public health emergency? Are there any central funding streams available to apply to for such amenities? Can the Chief Executive advise as to what guidelines SDCC follow re planning the distance between seating in public parks, which is vital to encourage people with mobility/cardiovascular and other medical conditions and disabilities to be able to exercise and rest when they need to and would the CE care to make a statement on the matter?
REPLY:
SDCC provides seating and picnic tables via the revenue budget. Central funding for park seating and picnic benches is not a directly funded item however funding may be accessible from within other projects or schemes that include seating as an integral part of the project. Provision of seating / picnic tables improves public amenities, increases age friendly facilities and facilitates access to the outdoors. Seating provides resting areas for people who need them, creates gathering areas where people can socialise and can also allow people to spend longer outdoors and facilitate exercise regimes or can mark a resting/ viewing spot.
In terms of the provision of new facilities; ideally the location would be a benefit to many as opposed to few, however risk is assessed and consideration is given on a case by case basis, sometimes by placing furniture on a trial basis. This includes a site survey as well as examining existing, proposed and intended uses in the area. The surrounding facilities and uses are studied and the site constraints and opportunities are noted.
In light of Covid 19 restrictions placement of new benches and picnic tables also have to take cognisance of social distancing. However as benches tend to be spaced out this is not a large issue for existing facilities and the public communication campaign has ensured a high level of public knowledge on the requirements and how to socially distance; so issue is, to a great extent, self-policed.
In addition to location and placement parameters; the intended use of the seating (as outlined above) is also considered in the proposed layout and design, as well as the type of seating most suited to best match intended usage and need. Other design parameters include decisions around the type of surfacing under and approaching the seating, planting and other features.
Proposed locations can be considered by input from members of the public, residents associations and other stakeholders. However it should also be noted we are often asked to remove seats from some locations due to concerns from park users and members of the public. In recent years SDCC have trialled a disability-friendly bench and picnic table; crafted by SDCC staff and in consultation with stakeholders; this has proven to be successful and very popular.
Existing and proposed locations for seating in SDCC parks are given below:
Rathfarnham Castle Park
There are 15 seating/benches, 5 benches were added in 2020. Throughout the park and particularly in the formal garden there are informal seating opportunities.
Sean Walsh Park
33 benches/seats in the park
Tymon Park
There are 42 seats/benches and several picnic tables located at strategic locations throughout the park
Rathcoole Park
There are 21 benches/seats
Lucan Demesne
There are 21 benches/seats
Griffeen Valley Park extension
There is 1 seat
Griffeen Valley Park
There are 2 Picnic tables (1 is wheelchair accessible) and 16 seats (2 are wheelchair accessible)
Lucan Weir
There are 4 seats
Lucan Village Park
There are 18 seats
Willsbrook Park
There are 7 seats
Castlegate Open Space, Adamstown
There are 2 seats
Corkagh Park
There are 42 seats + 9 Picnic tables (1 is wheelchair accessible)
Ballymount Park
There are 6 seats
Knockmitten Park
There is 1 seat
Knockmitten/Monastery open space
There is 1 seat
Waterstown Park
There are 3 picnic tables (1 is wheelchair accessible) + 10 seats.
Collinstown Park playground
There are 3 wooden seats and 1 picnic table.
In addition to this SDCC Public Realm have proposed new and / or upgrade /replacement benches for the following parks: 9 benches for Sean Walsh (upgrade /replacements), 7 for Rathfarnham (2 new & 5 upgrade/ replacements), 8 for Tymon Park (new), 4 Greentrees park (new), 2 Kilnamanagh Estate park (new) and 5 Dodder Valley Park (upgrade/ replacements); 3 picnic tables and 2 wheelchair accessible seats for Waterstown Park (new). It is anticipated that these works will occur in 2021 but may be delayed due to covid restrictions. All of these benches are being crafted by SDCC staff and are a ‘new type’ of bench we are rolling out county wide.