Re-think our public spaces
I suggest a rethink of Temple Bar Square to take account of children. The Ark is a world-class cultural facility handicapped by the absence of even temporary outside/attached play facilities, which would enable it to offer unprogrammed activity and thereby increase its user-friendliness.
Even portable play-installations that came out in the morning and were taken in at night would improve the situation. Children and families coming across The Ark need to be engaged immediately for the ethos of the place to take hold of their imaginations and this is currently not able to happen.
An example of good practice is ArtPlay, Melbourne, which is surrounded by a well-designed permanent playground which increases the efficiency of the experience as children, parents, teachers have a place to wait/let off steam before and after events. Some increase in the appeal of TB Square would make a great difference.