Towards a Liffey Valley Strategy Doc. 1 - Kildare.ie

“even short stay visitors will seek multiple options, tailored to their individual preferences.
Consumers will look for authentic experience and “living” as well as protected historic
culture”.
33 .. 22 .. 44 RReegg ii oonnaall ((DDuubb lli inn aanndd KK ii llddaarree))
As indicated above there are proposals to restructure the current regionally based
tourism operations of Failte Ireland. In this regard the Organisations that will fall
out of this restructuring will need to be positioned through appropriate marketing
material to promote the obvious potential of the valley. This will be detailed in the
Strategy for the Valley.
3.3 RECREATION, AMENITY AND PLAY POLICY
33 .. 33.11 . NNaatt ii oonnaall PPlaayy l PPoo lli iccyy
Launched in March 2004, Ireland’s National Play policy ‘Ready, Steady, Play’ (1)
covers a range of issues related to children of primary school age, and the
importance of play in their development. It establishes a framework through
which the provision of public play facilities and “child friendly environments” should
be expanded over the five year period to 2009
It states as its vision “An Ireland where the importance of play is recognised, so that
children experience a range of quality play opportunities to enrich their childhood.”
It recognises that general guidance at national level supports the provision of
amenity areas by local authorities, and “…that amenity areas be provided in a
hierarchy of spaces ranging from regional parks, neighbourhood open spaces, local open
spaces to incidental open spaces.” A further point of note is the importance of play in
children’s health and tackling childhood obesity.
Its principle recommendations include the extended use of creative landscaping
and the expansion of play spaces.
33 .. 33.22 . NNaatt ii oonnaall RReeccrreeaa tt iioonn PPoo lli iccyy
In the spirit of the National Play Policy, and building on its success, the National
Children’s Office is in the process of developing a Recreation Policy for Young
People in Ireland (2) . The policy will focus more the needs of older children and
teenagers (aged 12 to 18), with a view to identifying existing opportunities for
teenagers to become involved in recreational pursuits, and facilitating publicly
funded projects to develop recreational facilities.
Its draft vision is stated as “An Ireland where the importance of recreation is recognised
so that young people experience a range of quality recreational opportunities to enrich their
lives and promote their physical, mental and social wellbeing.”
(1) Ready, Steady, Play! A National Play Policy (2004) National Children’s Office.
(2) Consultation Document for a Recreation Policy for Young People in Ireland (2005) National Children’s Office.
OFFICE OF PUBLIC WORKS ERM IRELAND
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