COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN / PALMERSTOWN / NORTH CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, October 29, 2025

QUESTION NO.1

QUESTION: Councillor C. Brady

To ask the Chief Executive whether the Council has developed or is considering a strategy to protect community facilities in parks from damage and anti-social behaviour, and if so, to outline what measures are included in that strategy or plan

REPLY: 

Due to the variety in council parks (size, location, boundary treatment and scope of facilities provided), it is not possible to apply a uniform solution to tackle anti-social behaviour that can occur. As part of the development of facilities in our parks, the council look at various aspects of the design which includes measures to discourage and limit the impact of anti-social behaviour whilst maintaining the functionality and aesthetics to invite park users to utilise the facilities. Design measures can include locating facilities to maximise the benefit of passive surveillance, material selection, boundary treatments, lighting, CCTV etc.

In addressing issues specific to individual parks, the council utilises a menu of additional measures to help address issues related to anti-social behaviour. The response is graduated based on the issues being experienced and focuses on engagement with the local community, such as

• Establishing park and facilities opening hours, with the provision of automated gates to restrict access.
• Providing a park warden service to engage with the public to ensure facilities are use in the correct manner.
• Engagement with local community groups and sport clubs, to ensure facilities provided are used in the correct manner and encourage the reporting of misuse and vandalism to the Council and local Gardaí
• Ongoing maintenance to ensure any damage, from both normal use or vandalism, is repaired at the earliest opportunity, to maintain a sense of pride with community groups and sports clubs
• Regular engagement with local Gardaí

In the event of more serious and repeated vandalism, further measures to consider include

• Additional monitoring from Park Wardens.
• Increased liaison with Gardaí.
• Provision of out of hours security service, to carry out drive by inspections of the park facilities.
• Provision of CCTV in accordance with South Dublin County Council CCTV and other Surveillance Technology Policy.
• Provision of manned security.

The focus on delivering community facilities in our parks is for the enjoyment and benefit of the public. Public Realm Section will continue delivering projects and where possible ensure previous lessons learnt are implemented, to limit the additional expenditure incurred due to vandalism and the protection against anti social behaviour.