Residents of Castleknock in Fingal have been encouraged to help shape plans for a proposed neighbourhood play space in the area.

Fingal County Council has launched a survey on the location of the play space, enabling participants to examine the five proposed play space locations, state which ones they consider most appropriate and leave any feedback.

Following the submission of a resident petition and a motion by Councillors to the Blanchardstown-Mulhuddart/Castleknock/Ongar Area Committee, the Operations Department D15 have surveyed the open spaces within the Castleknock Area to identify areas suitable for a play space. Factors included:

• Size of open space

• Local demographics

• Parking facilities

• Proximity to transport hubs

• Community facilities

• Topography

• Proximity to Residents

• Opportunities for Passive Surveillance.

The research identified five potential locations for a play space in the area; Laurel Lodge Green, Opposite Castleknock Community Centre, Opposite Oak Tree Green, Opposite Sycamore Avenue and Adjacent to Castleknock Road and Woodpark.

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Following this research, Fingal County Council's Operations Department will forward the results of this survey together with the five locations proposed, to the Planning and Strategic Infrastructure Department for their consideration. A statutory public consultation will take place at that time and members of the public and local interest groups will be invited to participate in the consultation process. It is expected that it will take a minimum of 18 months for this project to reach formal consultation.

Speaking about the project, Executive Parks Superintendent of Fingal County Council, Oliver Hoey, said: "We are currently in the very early stages of this project. We are inviting the residents of Castleknock to complete this survey in order to understand their needs and preferences for a play space in the area. We will take their feedback into consideration before progressing this project any further. We would encourage everyone in the area to get involved with the survey so that we have a better idea of their wants and needs. We'd also like to remind everyone that it will take a few years before this is achieved but that this is an important first step in the process."

The survey can be accessed online, while local Castleknock residents will also receive it via post in the coming weeks. Deadline for submissions is 06 September 2021.