Call for designated teen space in Galway city after gardaí called to playground
Galway City Council is looking to establishing a designated teen space in Knocknacarra - but it’s likely to come with a €150,000 price tag.
The major need for public teen hangout spaces was addressed by Galway City Councillor Alan Curran at a recent meeting, after observing what he called an “unfortunate” event at a residential playground area.
Cllr Curran explaied he recognized such a need after intersecting two gardaí called on a teen harmlessly swinging on the swing set of a local playground. The teen is well-known to neighbours and goes to the playground to self-regulate often, he said.
However, council staff said that such a project would sit around the €150,000 mark.
Location would also need to be assessed. While it feels like teens are “viewed as anti-social” and villainized for gathering in any public areas, council staff said, the location in Knocknacarra would have to be separate from other amenities yet “not too far to be seen.”
Hoping to join a partnership with Foróige, Cllr Curran said this needs to be a top priority for 2027.