COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, December 15, 2021

MOTION NO. 13

MOTION: Councillor F. Timmons

Cathaoirleach's Business

"That this Committee calls on South Dublin County Council to install a Teenspace in Rathcoole Park as a matter of urgency given the lack of facilities for teenagers in the area and the rise in anti-social behaviour."

REPORT:

The first teenspace installed in Clondalkin, at Collinstown Park is being very well used and is popular with young people in the area. The second phase of the teenspace programme contained a MUGA for St Cuthbert's Park, however this has been delayed as Public Realm were requested to include this as part of the overall St Cuthbert's Park Masterplan.

Public Realm will be seeking suggestions for a Teenspace for Phase 3 of the Teenspace Programme for 2023 in the Clondalkin area.

The location of teenspaces is very important to their success and locations need to be chosen very carefully.

Public Realm are looking for spaces where teenagers themselves want to be and which are already used by teenagers. Teenspaces should have good passive supervision where users will be safe. Ideal locations are close to schools and shops frequented by teenagers so they can be used on a daily basis. It is also important that teenspaces are not too close to housing so as to avoid causing noise or nuisance.

Finding a suitable location in Rathcoole Park could prove difficult. There may be a suitable site directly opposite the Avoca entrance, but this may be considered too out of the way for the intended users.

If Councillors wish to propose Rathcoole Park to be considered as a Teenspace location Public Realm would propose consulting with teenagers through the local secondary schools and sports clubs and asking their opinions on suitable locations as well as the type of teenspace facilities they would like developed.