COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, October 28, 2025

MOTION NO. 1

MOTION: Councillor D. Donnelly

"To prioritise high sensory equipment in the parks, i.e. trampolines, resistance activities, visual and sensory equipment to accommodate children with high needs?"

REPORT:

South Dublin County Council welcomes the motion to enhance sensory play provision in our parks.

SDCC is recognised as a leader in the design and delivery of inclusive and natural playspaces, both nationally and across the European Union. In recognition of this work, South Dublin County Council received a Special Mention in the 2023 EU Access City Awards for its innovative approach to accessible landscapes and play areas — highlighting the Council’s success in creating environments that are inclusive, imaginative, and connected to nature.

Over the past decade, the Council has developed more than forty new and refurbished playspaces that apply the principles of Universal Design and natural play, ensuring that children of all abilities can play together in shared environments. These playspaces already incorporate a rich variety of sensory experiences, including trampolines and play features that involve climbing, spinning, rocking, and balancing, all set within natural surroundings to provide high-value sensory and physical experiences for children.

While sensory and accessible equipment plays an important role, best practice emphasises the importance of prioritising the overall play environment rather than focusing solely on equipment. The Council’s approach therefore considers the landscape form, planting, natural materials, and layout as integral to inclusive and engaging play design, with equipment forming one component within a universally accessible and stimulating setting.

The Council’s universal design approach does not prioritise one group of children, such as those with higher needs, over others. Instead, SDCC recognises that children have a broad range of needs, abilities, and ways of engaging with play, and seeks to create environments that allow everyone, regardless of ability to play together. This inclusive and integrated model is regarded as best practice across the EU and continues to shape all new play developments within the County.

The Council has also recently adopted a new Play Policy: The Nature of Play; which reaffirms its commitment to inclusive and accessible play provision. The objectives and actions set out in this policy will guide the future design and delivery of playspaces, ensuring that these commitments remain central to all ongoing and upcoming projects. The chapter on Accessibility includes information on both equipment and natural features incorporated into playspaces to improve accessibility.

Finally, the Council places a high value on feedback from children, families, and community members, and encourages residents to participate in local play consultations. This feedback is used when setting the design briefs for individual play areas ensuring that the specific needs and aspirations of each community are reflected in the final design. The Council therefore actively encourages participation in these consultations, as community input is central to delivering play spaces that are inclusive, well-used, and that meet specific local needs.