COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, June 13, 2022

QUESTION NO. 28

QUESTION: Councillor F. Timmons

To ask the Chief Executive are there plans for a quiet time allocation in our play spaces throughout the county for children with a disability and to ask would he consider seeking out ideas/feedback on this from groups such as the Clondalkin Autism Parents Support Network -(CAPS Network) etc on how this could be achieved?

REPLY:

SDCC provide innovative play spaces, including sensory play areas and play trails in parks and open spaces throughout the County. SDCC supports a fully inclusive model of playground/ playspace provision. There is high usage of SDCC playgrounds, particularly during school term times and in the winter-time; when there are shorter evenings and reduction in available hours for children to play. The reduction of availability of public playspace time to a smaller section of children would not be beneficial and would be difficult to enforce. A fully inclusive model of playspace use is preferable.

Playgrounds usage varies from day to day and from school term to school holiday time, but, in general, afternoons, particularly at weekends tend to show highest usage. However, in some parks, peak playground usage can extend from mid-morning to late afternoon. Playgrounds connected to the larger parks: Tymon, Griffeen and Corkagh Parks also tend to be busier.

Usage information is available on open data sources at the following links for the larger playspaces:

Griffeen Valley Park Playground: link

Corkagh Park Playground : link

Sean Walsh Park link

Rathfarnham Castle link

Tymon Natural Play Area link

Willsbrook Park Park link

Waterstown Park link

The above information may be useful to visitors so they can identify quiet times and quieter playgrounds and plan their visits accordingly. Google lists