Natural play spaces are designed to adapt to the particular place where they are implemented and encourage contact with nature for young people. They provide a space and a setting for play (rather than an over-emphasis on equipment for children to play with).

Natural play spaces add to the attractiveness of the areas in which they are placed. They are robust, being made of mostly naturally found material, earth mounding etc. Given that they largely take inspiration from the natural environment, as such they mirror how nature manages rainfall and so double as a flood resilience measure. This is in contrast to a paved playground which does not absorb rainfall, adding to flood risk and pressure on the drainage network.

Policies in the forthcoming County Development Plan will support developers in installing natural play spaces in future developments. Ongoing meetings with other local authorities are concerned with mentoring and sharing knowledge concerning replicating natural play spaces.

Natural play spaces can be found at:

• Avonbeg, Tallaght
• Knockmitten, Clondalkin
• Riversdale, Palmerstown
• Sarsfield Park, Lucan
• Beechfield Park, Walkinstown
• Tymon Park, Tymon
• Griffeen Avenue
• Collinstown Park, Clondalkin