€6m investment sees play spaces in south Dublin grow from nine to 70 since 2014
A new policy which recognises the fundamental right for children to play, will see more open spaces being built into council estates in south Dublin.
Since 2014, South Dublin County Council (SDCC) has invested €6.25m in such spaces, with the number of play areas in the area increasing from nine to 70.
Senior Parks Superintendent, Suzanne Furlong, told a recent council meeting the policy aimed to look at addressing a lack of play spaces in south Dublin.
The policy also includes dedicated ‘teen spaces’ based on consultations with children of different age ranges and their parents to understand their specific needs.
“This was proposed as a five-year programme to address the deficiency of play opportunities across the county,” Ms Furlong said.
“They were designed to adapt to the places where they were installed, with a focus on where these children live and using the natural environment.
“The work has gone not only into our parks, but into housing developments in the form of more open spaces.
“We recognised that teens need specific spaces for their development as well, and the importance for children to be able to play close to their homes.
“It looks at making playgrounds more inclusive – we’re looking at a diversity of needs, including children with various disabilities, based on the input from families and local councillors.”
Labour Party councillor Francis Timmons commended the work done on newer housing estates and called for similar infrastructure in older estates.
“We need open spaces in our older estates. I’ve had constituents look at the newer developments and ask for it in where they live,” he said.
“We have estates in Clondalkin and Kilcronan where it could make a real difference.
“We need to look into how we can budget for more open spaces in these estates. Ideally, all the new play spaces should be within walking distance of all estates.”
Labour Councillor Joanna Tuffy agreed that older estates with younger families could benefit from similar open spaces.
“I met three young boys a few years ago who asked me for a local playground – it was a time when there was none at all in places like north Clondalkin – it was a glaring gap in south Dublin at that stage,” she said.
“I commend the staff and councillors who have put the work, worked with the children and made this very clear difference.”
Councillors also praised the council’s decision to consult teenagers in the planning process.
“Spaces for teens are well needed right now, spaces like these could make a big difference,” Sinn Féin councillor Niamh Whelan said.
“Children are our equals and they have a right to participate in these decisions. We have seen it pay off in ‘difficult’ areas where people said playgrounds wouldn’t thrive.”
Fianna Fail councillor Yvonne Collins added: “There was a fear among communities of anti-social behaviour, but it has worked out seamlessly because children themselves were taken into account.”
The council said next steps for the playground policy will include mapping areas where more play spaces are needed.