PlaySpaces is a joyful, participatory project that invites children aged 5–7 to dream, design, and reimagine how they experience their city. Developed in response to a city-wide consultation by Cork Child Friendly City, where young children voiced a clear desire for small, safe, child-sized spaces to play, this initiative puts their ideas into action.

Led by artist and arts educator Chris Finnegan, PlaySpaces engages children from schools, preschools, and after-school groups across Cork’s Northside in creative workshops that explore play, imagination, and belonging. Through drawing, building, and storytelling, children co-design prototype play pods that reflect their vision of a welcoming city.

The project culminates in a public showcase of their designs as part of the Cork Midsummer Festival programme in 2025, and a Big Build event, inviting children from across Cork to join in the fun. With further design development and feedback loops built into the process, PlaySpaces ensures that children’s voices remain central throughout.

This is a celebration of creativity, community, and child-led urban design—opening up a city of possibilities, one playful idea at a time.

 

Please note that the details of events listed above are provided by the relevant Local Authorities.