To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Car Free Day, Dublin City Council launches 25 Play Streets across the city’s neighbourhoods, creating safe, traffic-free environments for children and families to play and connect.
The Play Streets initiative was officially launched by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Ray McAdam, at Harold’s Road in Stoneybatter, Dublin 7. This event indicates a significant milestone in the city’s commitment to promoting sustainable, community-orientated urban spaces.
On Sunday, 21st September, between 1pm and 4pm, 25 designated streets throughout Dublin will be temporarily closed to vehicular traffic. This will enable residents to enjoy safe and accessible public spaces where children can engage in outdoor play and social activities, fostering community spirit in a traffic-free environment.
Lord Mayor of Dublin Councillor Ray McAdam expressed his support for the initiative, stating, “Play Streets offer a wonderful opportunity for Dubliners to reclaim their streets for play and community. This launch is a significant step in our commitment to creating safer, more sustainable neighbourhoods where people can thrive. I encourage everyone to join us on Sunday 21st September to experience the joy and connection that Play Streets bring.”
Care-Free Day Makes Way for Play
Play Streets are neighborhood-led initiatives that temporarily close streets to through traffic, giving children the freedom to play safely on the street where they live. This concept aims to revive the childhood experience of street play as a central part of growing up, once common in Ireland.
Recent Play Street events in Dublin 7 have demonstrated the profound impact such spaces have on children’s wellbeing—providing a venue for physical activity, social engagement, creativity, and independence in urban neighbourhoods.
Shane Waring, Coordinator of BETA Projects, Dublin City Council, commented, “Play Streets give children safe, car-free spaces to play right next to their home, helping them to be active and socially connected to their community and neighbourhood. We look forward to taking the valuable experience from 25 streets, this Car Free Day, into our upcoming BETA Project which will explore how we can bring the huge benefits of doorstep play back to families, children and communities in Dublin City.”
It’s crucial to promote children’s independent mobility and local outdoor play. Car journeys and ownership have increased over the last 2 decades, increasing the frequency at which children must contend with cars in their lived environment. This underscores the need for initiatives such as Play Streets to restore safe, accessible spaces for children.
Seán Ó Seanchair, from D7 Play Streets, shared, “We recently partnered with the Central Area Local Area Office to establish the first Street Play Committee in Dublin City to raise awareness of the value and importance of children’s play on our streets. Unstructured street play has numerous emotional, social and physical benefits for children. We are excited to be part of this city-wide activation and invite everyone to join us in making our streets vibrant and welcoming.”
For more information on Play Streets and the list of participating locations on Sunday 21st September, please visit: www.dublincity.ie/events/play-streets-initiative-citywide