Much anticipated Parkour will be installed in Collinstown Park
By Maurice Garvey
DUBLIN’S first parkour area is scheduled to be installed at a new playspace in Clondalkin.
It will form part of new play-space and teenage facilities for Collinstown Park, which is included in South Dublin County Council’s pavilion programme.
This unique range of activities is a ‘direct response to the consultation with local teenagers and is much anticipated locally’
The parkour section is central to the proposal and was based on feedback from local teenagers.
It will consist of large concrete blocks and metal bars spaced out at intervals - obstacles which can be negotiated by running, jumping, and climbing past.
There will also be a calisthenics area, which involves gymnastic exercise.
Users can scan the equipment with their smartphones to see videos and gain tips on how to use the equipment.
A report by South Dublin County Council this week, says the plans for Collinstown contain a new playground for children up to the age of 12 and a teenspace.
The playground has been designed to fit into the parkland landscape.
According to the report, the aim is to create “an inclusive playspace where children can play together regardless of ability.”
The main features of the playground will be the large sand play area, swings, slide, climbing frame, climbing trees, monkey bars, gymnastic bars, spinning disk, wobble belt and a double zipline.
The playground will be constructed in mainly natural materials similar to the very successful playground at Griffeen Valley Park and Willsbrook Park and it will be fully enclosed with fencing.
Council staff consulted with over 500 teenagers in the area.
From the feedback, teenagers asked for a space “very different to anything that already exists in Dublin.”
Teenagers also asked for a place to meet their friends, hang out, be online, play music and engage in a range of different physical activities.
Provision of wifi is included in the teenspace, along with seating.
Teens can share music with their friends through a smart phone speaker, which operates by wind up handle so does not require electrical connection. There will also be a water font for hydration.
A games area will contain a goal and a basketball hoop, where ball games can be played and there will also be a mountain bike track.
Council staff have been in discussions with the South Dublin County Sports Partnership on providing training for teenagers in the local schools on using the equipment.
The council say the “unique range” of activities is a “direct response to the consultation with local teenagers and is much anticipated locally.”
“We hope that this will be the first of many such facilities across the county and will contribute greatly to the physical and mental health and wellbeing of young people growing up in South Dublin.”
By subscribing to The Echo you are supporting your local newspaper Click Here: Echo Online.
