COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM / TEMPLEOGUE / FIRHOUSE / BOHERNABREENA AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, March 12, 2024

MOTION NO. 4

MOTION: Councillor L.Guéret

That the manager gives consideration to the creation of a Teen Space, with Basketball facilities in Greenhills Park or some provision for youth activities in Greenhills Park.

REPORT:

South Dublin County Council reviewed the teenspace programme in 2022. As part of that process teenagers were asked to propose additional locations for teenpaces. Following the public consultation stage and review process; the council agreed and funded an expanded programme of teenspace locations across the county in accordance with the submitted views of teenagers. The original and expanded programme is set out as follows:

Teenspace 1st phase:

• Ballycragh (Rathfarnham / Templeogue / Firhouse / Bohernabreena): Complete
• Avonbeg (Tallaght Central) : Complete 2023
• Collinstown (was in Clondalkin LEA when first proposed, now Palmerstown/Fonthill): Complete
• Kingswood (Tallaght Central): Complete 2023.
• Esker (Lucan area): consultants appointed; draft designs done; operator advice being compiled.

Teenspace 2^nd phase:

• St. Cuthberts Park: (Clondalkin area) construction to commence in coming weeks (March 2024)
• Esker Phase 2 (Lucan area): Complete 2023
• Bancroft (Tallaght Central): Complete 2023
• Templeogue area, Limekiln (Rathfarnham / Templeogue Area): Complete 2023

Teenspace 3rd Phase:

• Carrigmore Park ( Tallaght South Area ): Tender stage
• Rathcoole Park (Clondalkin Area): Tender stage
• Clondalkin (Clondalkin Area): Tender stage
• Griffeen Valley Park (Northern Section) (Lucan Area): not commenced as yet
• Sean Walsh Park ( Tallaght Central): Tender Stage
• Dodder Valley Park, Western Section (Tallaght Central Area ): not commenced as yet
• Dodder Valley Park, Eastern Section ( Firhouse Bohernabreena ): not commenced as yet
• Whitechurch Open Space (Rathfarnham / Templeogue Area): initial consultation completed.

These projects are at various stages of delivery as set out above, with a number successfully completed and well received by the local teenagers and their communities. 

As part of the review process set out above, Public Realm examined Greenhills Park as a prospective site for a Teenspace, and did not consider that it would be an appropriate location for such a facility. In consultations to date teenagers have generally requested public spaces that are well overlooked, or places with a high level of activity or footfall. Teenagers like busier places as such spaces improve their safety and makes them more likely to use the facilities so Public Realm look for spaces where teenagers can see and be seen.

Greenhills Park is in the centre of a residential area and is intensively used by a number of existing sports clubs. It is difficult to find a suitable site that is not too close to existing houses, or does not already have an existing use by clubs, but yet remains within an active / well-overlooked location. Just to note the teenspace at Tymon Limekiln is also within a kilometre of Greenhills Park.

Public Realm have been requested by some members of the local community to consider a teenspace in Beechfield Park near the refurbished basketball court, which could be a more successful location.  The play area, exercise circuit and tennis courts have made the area a hub of activity and a teenspace may add to the amenity of that space. If councillors wished to consider / discuss same with Public Realm and there was a further expansion of the programme with additional locations / funding, we would welcome further input.