Council and councillors clash over need for Kilmore West playground

Dublin City Council and local councillors have clashed over the need for a new playground in north Dublin.

At last week’s North West Area Committee meeting, councillors called for a new playground to be built in Kilmore West, Coolock.

However, in a response the council said that a playground for the area was being prioritised due to the proximity of other playgrounds in neighbouring communities.

Independent councillor for the area John Lyons tabled a motion calling on the council to introduce a playground.

In his motion, Lyons said that the council has issued contradictory statements over recent years regarding the matter.

“This North Central Area Committee is aware of the inconsistent views of the local area office over recent years regarding the provision of a new playground for the children of Kilmore West,” he said.

In a response to a motion he tabled in February 2017, the council said that “there are already four playgrounds adjacent to the area,” and in 2021, a response issued to a similar motion said that “the area is not well served with playgrounds”

“Given the consistent support that this area committee’s councillors have provided to the proposal, this area committee once again calls for the provision of new play facilities for the children of Kilmore West,” Lyons said.

During the discussion, Lyons said that “young people in Kilmore West are deserving of a playground.

He said that the other playgrounds mentioned by the council are not within walking distance or are located across busy roads which would be dangerous for children to cross.

A council official said that there are playgrounds in nearby Santry Demesne, Ellenfield Park, Stardust Park and Bunratty Road, and four playlots at Cromcastle.

“The majority of residences in the area are within 20–25 minutes’ walk of one of these playgrounds,” it says.

“While there is not a playground located in the immediate vicinity the area was not identified as an area of deficit in recent assessments and would be considered lower priority for the delivery of a new playground at this time.

“The priority with regard to play facilities in the North Central area remains to bring existing playgrounds up to modern standards with regard safety and accessibility and to address areas of recognised deficit of play facilities.”

However, councillors voted unanimously to back the motion, saying that a new playground should be prioritised by the council.

“There should be a play area within easy walking access of every child in this city,” said Green Party Councillor Donna Cooney.

Cooney says that Kilmore West is a growing area with plenty of children, and a nearby playground is needed.

Social Democrats Councillor Patricia Roe asked the area manager to identify a possible site for the new playground.

In response, Derek Farrell said the council could “look at possible sites with the parks department,”

“It’s a matter of getting funding,” he says.

Fianna Fail councillor Racheal Batten and Sinn Fein councillor Micheál MacDonncha also spoke in favour of the motion with Batten saying that the multiple playgrounds could be required in the area due to its young population.