COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN MEETING

Thursday, June 17, 2021

MOTION NO.

MOTION: Councillor Yvonne Collins

Community Infrastructure and Open Space: COS 5 Objective 14: To include sensory play areas and play trails in our parks, and to ensure that all play spaces have communication boards and designated play hours for children with additional needs. 

REPORT:

The motion proposes a new objective 14 with the remaining objectives renumbered accordingly to:

In relation to part (i) and the provision of sensory play areas and play trails, new play spaces and play trails are planned for the Dodder Greenway.  Under the Play Space Programme (2014-2020), the Council provided innovative play spaces based on natural play in parks and public open spaces throughout the County. The Council will continue to provide for play as part of future programmes and will also continue to require developers to provide for play as part of residential and mixed-use developments.

In relation to part (ii) and ensuring that all play spaces have communication boards, the Council is supportive in general of measures that would increase the accessibility and inclusivity of our playgrounds and are currently evaluating the level of need for the communication boards. SDCC have liaised with the Disability Officer and fellow Access Officers around the country and also the Special Projects Team responsible for the playground at Min Ryan Park in Wexford.

SDCC have contacted a speech and language therapist who submitted the recent information on the communication boards, who has given information on how the proposal relates particularly to playgrounds.

SDCC understand that many children who have this need have their own communication cards but may not always need to have them with them.  In some cases, children who have a mild or moderate disability can become unable to concentrate in a playground as it can be an overstimulating environment. In such cases the boards would help the children and parents to maintain communication and allow the child to continue using the playground.

The Council intend to install a communication board on a pilot basis in the playground in Corkagh Park, which is currently under construction.  Post installation the council has committed to examining  feedback from parents / children before considering their further roll out.

In relation to part (iii) and designated hours for children with additional needs, the motion as worded relates to operational matters outside the scope of the Development Plan.

SDCC supports a fully inclusive model of playground/ playspace provision. There is high usage of SDCC playgrounds, particularly during school terms times and in the winter-time when there are shorter evenings and reduction in hours for children to play. The reduction of availability of public playspace time to a smaller section of children would not be beneficial. A fully inclusive model of playspaces is more preferable.

Therefore, having regard to the above, it is considered that the part (i) and (iii) of the motion be adopted with amendment as follows:

Insert under Chapter 8, Section 8.7 Parks and Public Open Space, Policy COS 5 Parks and Public Open Space – Overarching the following:

COS 5 Objective 23 (or as may be numbered within this Policy):

To continue to provide innovative play spaces, including sensory play areas and play trails, in parks and open spaces throughout the County and to identify the quietest and busiest times at SDCC playgrounds and share this information so it may be useful to visitors so they can identify quiet times and quieter playgrounds and plan their visits accordingly.

Recommendation

It is recommended that this motion is adopted with amendment.

Insert under Chapter 8, Section 8.7 Parks and Public Open Space, Policy COS 5 Parks and Public Open Space – Overarching the following:

COS 5 Objective 23 (or as may be numbered within this Policy):

To continue to provide innovative play spaces, including sensory play areas and play trails, in parks and open spaces throughout the County and to identify the quietest and busiest times at SDCC playgrounds and share this information so it may be useful to visitors so they can identify quiet times and quieter playgrounds and their plan visits accordingly.