Will the Children get to Play here?

Most definitely Yes.

With around 3,000 homes, and more coming, those families with children of suitable age are commuting to playgrounds such as Navan, Slane, Blackwater Park, Balrath Woods, Trim and even paid entry venues such as Tayto Park.

Once upon a time we were the typical family who made the long frequent playground journeys and, during the 20 years of waiting for a local one, so have thousands of other children but we can't continue the way we are:

• Huge travelling distances by car and not public transport.
• Visits are more like expeditions.
• These facilities are intended for the local demand and not us too.
• There are no toilets (except paid entry parks).
• Parents are severely missing out on local interactions and chance encounters with other local parents and children.

The Council's Johnstown Survey of 2017 highlighted that a playground was still very much wanted within the community and it at least provided the basic mandate from which a proposal could be made.

This is where the fierce debate begins because it was not part of the masterplan for Johnstown.

The IDA and JPP

These are not in the ownership of the local Council and both have been approached for previous community group use and have all failed for a variety of reasons. Fundamentally, as private property which is not for sale for community use we can argue but it's not likely to change anything.

Estate Green Spaces

We have these in abundance but they were never planned as formal playgrounds and putting one in will upset those closest to it who perceive it as a burden and not a benefit.

Identifying one location which provides a large open plot of land, which is safely segregated from the main traffic routes, and where parking can be safely provided with the least disruption to residents 7 days a week is not simple, easy or without dramatic change.

A Johnstown Wood objection group has formed a Social Media Page and have arranged a public meeting.

We look forward to discovering how they will shape the plans or if Johnstown is going to end up without this basic facility.

A playground should be a popular, successful and desirable feature treasured by the community. That's not today's mass perception since society has labelled them as antisocial magnets even though the facility is aimed at very young children.

Our older children, who are soon to be young adults, have likely grown up here and a playground is not going to be of use. These young people are desperate for somewhere to gather but even gaining facilities such as a community centre is not going to appeal to all of them.

If anyone, young or old, is intent on causing mischief or antisocial behaviour they will do so given the opportunity but fear alone should not prevent us from providing decent new facilities.

The homes near any proposed site were bought with no playground in sight. Fears of traffic, noise, parking, loss of peace & quiet could possibly be abated with suitable planning but fears of antisocial behaviour is both significant, unknown and has no magical solution.

"Not In My Back Yard" fears are very real and will not easily be overcome with assurances. Looking to playgrounds which have failed should reveal notes of lessons learned by planners so that new schemes incorporate these lessons.

The new estates of Dunville, Cois Glaisin and nearby Caislean Mainear all will have some form of playground. These are not yet built and likely to be installed at the very last minute since there's no sign of them so far.

Playgrounds are popular with young children and their parents but it appears that few others want anything to do with them. Is there some way to reverse the negative perception and see them as a positive benefit to the Community?