Frequently Asked
Questions
HOW DO WE GET
STARTED?
To
begin, you will need a management committee. This is a group of people who will
work together with the common purpose of developing a play facility for their
community. This committee will be accountable to the community, young people
and the local authority. In a lot of cases an existing committee in a community
may be willing to take on the task of developing the play facility. Then a
subgroup should be formed. This subgroup would have overall responsibility for
the project. Alternatively a ‘new’ management committee could be set up. This
should be done at a public meeting. Ideally your playground management
committee should comprise of six to ten people who represent various points of
view and expertise in play.
WHO SHOULD WE TALK
TO IN OUR COMMUNITY?
Playground areas should be designed and provided to meet the specific needs of the community. Before making any decisions on your play facility, you must make sure that the people living in your community actually want a play facility. This could be done by way of a public meeting. Once you have identified the need for a facility you must agree a consultation process, which will ensure that everyone is involved in the design of the facility. In particular you will need to involve:
WHERE WILL WE FIND OUR SITE?
Finding a suitable site is vital in creating a safe and appropriate play facility for your community. However an appropriate site is not always easy to find. If your site is not suitable the facility may be used inappropriately or in fact not at all. First of all you will need to identify a few possible sites in and around your area, taking into consideration the location guidelines outlined in section seven of the Play Policy – ‘Developing Play in Kerry’. For example a site needs to be easily accessible, centrally located and observable by the public.
WHAT SIZE SITE IS
RECOMMENDED?
Location and size should be such that nuisance to neighbours is minimised but
that the playground area is still overlooked. It will depend on a number of
factors such as the age-group for which the playground area is intended, size
and type of equipment, proximity to services and neighbouring houses, shops etc.
The size of the playground area generally depends on the size of the community
it is going to serve
ONCE A SITE IS IDENTIFIED, WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Once you have identified a possible site(s), you should contact your local authority to arrange an on-site meeting with relevant personnel, such as your local area engineer and local planner. This meeting can be arranged through the Community and Enterprise Department (066-7183680)
WHO SHOULD WE CONTACT ABOUT THE DESIGN?
Decide on a number of playground equipment companies before looking for quotations (a basic list is available on this website). Ask at least three companies to provide design ideas based on your requirements and assessed against the outcome of your consultations. You should also refer to section seven of the Play Policy – Developing Play in Kerry, for more design information.
SHOULD THERE BE A FENCE AROUND THE PLAYGROUND?
A boundary fence with appropriately designed gates should be constructed around the playground area. Ideally this fencing should be low in height, approximately 1.2 metres high is recommended.
IS LIGHTING NECESSARY?
Sufficient lighting must be provided to allow natural surveillance at night.
ARE GREEN AREAS ALLOWED IN A PLAYGROUND AREA?
Yes, green areas are allowed in playground areas, if possible there should be open space for free play purposes. Enough space should also be reserved to allow for expansion and further development. It is important that children experience the benefits of nature and seasonal changes. The use of low growing vegetation and single stemmed trees is often recommended for playground areas.
Appropriate signs must be displayed in all playground areas. Signs that indicate the age the equipment is designed for and the importance of supervision must be displayed. The information should be clear and concise and preferably displayed in languages (e.g. Irish) and formats (e.g. pictographic form) relevant to the people who will be using the facility. All signs should also be sensitive to the environment
SHOULD SEATING BE PROVIDED?
The needs of adults should also be carefully thought out. Seating for example, should be provided, so parents and carers can watch and enjoy their children play. The location of seating is also important, seats should be located in sheltered areas and in a way that encourages social interaction. For safety purposes, seating should be positioned at least one metre from the boundary fence and/or the gate of the playground area. Seats should also be provided with backrests for elderly carers or carers with disabilities. If benches are provided they should be designed to allow for disabled access.
ARE DOGS ALLOWED IN A PLAYGROUND AREA?
Playground areas must be dog-free zones and alternative dog walking areas are recommended.
ONCE THE DESIGN DRAWINGS ARE COMPLETED, WHAT DO WE DO NEXT?
You should make colour drawings of your proposed playground area available to the wider community. For example you could hold an open day where members of your community could view and comment on the design. Once the people in your community are satisfied with the design, you can apply to the local authority for planning permission and insurance cover.
HOW MUCH DO PLAYGROUNDS COST?
Although this is a very important question, it cannot be easily answered. Determining the cost is based on many different things such as the size of the site, the equipment, surfacing etc.
WHO WILL BE ABLE TO ADVISE ME ON THE COST?
The playground equipment companies are experts in this area. They will view the potential site, make a site analysis, gather the information about the design criteria and will give you a projected cost for the playground. You are advised to get at least three quotations to ensure that you get value for money.
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR INSURANCE COVER?
DO WE HAVE TO APPLY FOR PLANNING PERMISSION?
Yes, to obtain planning permission you must make a planning application to your local authority. You must complete a planning application form and submit it together with the required documents. There is no fee for community-initiated playground projects. It is recommended that you have a pre-planning meeting with your local planner at site selection stage. No work can commence on the playground until planning permission is granted. Receipt of insurance cover does not guarantee planning permission.
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE FACILITY AFTER THE EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN INSTALLED AND INSPECTED?
The playground area will be operated directly under the control and management of the Local Authority. The local authority will be responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the playground area and all equipment
If you have any queries please contact:
Community & Enterprise
Dept.
Kerry County Council
Rathass
Tralee
Co.Kerry
Tel: 066 7183680
Email:
comm&ent@kerrycoco.ie