Teenspaces
What Are Teenspaces?
The Teenspace Programme developed by Leitrim County Council is informed by countywide consultations with teenagers to identify their needs and determine how these can be supported within public spaces.
The consultation findings highlighted a clear demand for attractive, welcoming, and active spaces where young people can meet friends and take part in informal, unstructured physical activities.
Access to outdoor spaces, opportunities for social interaction, and participation in physical activity all contribute positively to the physical and mental wellbeing of teenagers. The Teenspace Programme aims to address these needs by creating dedicated spaces designed specifically with young people in mind.
A range of amenities will be provided at locations throughout the county, including exercise equipment, calisthenics facilities, foosball tables, music speaker posts, and informal seating areas where teenagers can gather and spend time together.
Consultation Findings
Leitrim County Council carried out a consultation process through Comhairle na nÓg, targeting young people aged 13 to 19 years.
The consultation provided valuable insight into the types of facilities teenagers would like to see. Most respondents expressed a preference for spaces that support socialising and informal physical activity rather than additional organised sports facilities. The findings suggest that socialising with friends is an important activity in its own right and not simply a result of a lack of alternatives. The strong interest in physical activity, recreation, and face-to-face social interaction was also a notable outcome of the survey.
Recommendations
The survey recommended the development of a network of dedicated gathering spaces for teenagers.
The most popular suggestions included:
- Places to sit, relax, and socialise
- Exercise and fitness equipment
- Calisthenics facilities
- Basketball amenities
- Sheltered areas
- Facilities to play music
- Access to toilets
Teenspace Locations
Kinlough
Kiltyclogher (scheduled to open in Spring 2027)