Dublin City Council opens new playground in Chapelizod
Dublin City Council (DCC) has opened a large new playground in the west Dublin suburb of Chapelizod, in the riverside Liffey Valley Park.
The authority said it was one of three opened over the course of 2025, bringing the total number of playgrounds in the capital’s city parks to 74.
It has been designed as a natural, inclusive play area, located within walking distance of St Patrick’s National School, St Laurence’s National School and Chapelizod’s new ‘Scout Den’.
DCC said it designed the amenity alongside the community, and held creative workshops with 70 to 80 local children, incorporating willow weaving and biodiversity-related learning activities.
"Their feedback emphasised two priorities: a strong connection to nature and inclusivity for children of all abilities,” said a spokesperson.
"The final design responds to the site’s natural slope in a playful manner and incorporates natural materials and multi-sensory zones, offering a variety of experiences, from vibrant social spaces to quieter areas for children with different needs.”
Dublin’s Lord Mayor, Ray McAdam, said he was “delighted” to see the opening of the playground, adding that it reflects the council’s desire to create inclusive, nature-inspired spaces.
"By involving local schools and the community in the design process, we have ensured that this playground is not only engaging and fun but also a place where every child feels welcome,” he said.
Labour councillor Darragh Moriarty, who chairs the council’s Community, Gaeilge, Sport, Arts and Culture committee, said the new facility is a “fantastic example” of collaboration between communities and the council.
"Projects like this strengthen our neighbourhoods and create lasting benefits for families,” he said at the launch of the playground,
DCC’s head of parks, Les Moore, said his team “worked closely” with the local community to make sure the space reflected their ideas and needs.
“We are proud to see it come to life in such a beautiful setting,” he added.
The opening follows a spate of vandalism and arson-related incidents at parks around Dublin city, from Diamond Park in the north inner city to Saint Anne’s Park in Clontarf.
Mr McAdam previously told the Irish Independent that would be pushing to rebuild the damaged spaces as soon as possible.
"Leaving a burned-out playground behind is the real ‘bad money’”, he said. “It costs us more in antisocial behaviour, policing and lost community confidence.”