Play area set for transformation after £50,000 investment

Families in Glenburn will have a new place to play after a £50,000 investment from Renfrewshire Council’s Green Spaces, Parks and Play Areas and Villages Investment Fund.

Skye Crescent Play Park will have a new lease of life thanks to an application made by local community group, Stronger Communities Glenburn.

The group plans to develop and upgrade several play areas within Glenburn to increase community spirit in the area and ensure that young people and families don’t have to leave the area to spend quality time together.

The children of Glenburn were invited to choose the final equipment to be installed into the park and the group will ensure it is new, dynamic and inclusive for all young people.

Laura Brown, Stronger Communities Glenburn, said: “We’ve been campaigning for the past four or five years to get the park upgraded and all our hard work has now paid off, we’re ecstatic to get this funding.

“It’s going to make a massive difference to the community in Glenburn, not just for the kids but for their parents too as it’ll give them a place to interact with other adults while their kids are playing and learning.

“We’re looking to install a nest swing, mini trampolines and climbing frames among other things after we went to the local nurseries and primary schools to ask the children what they’d like – so what’s going to be in the park is exactly what they’ve chosen.

“It’s going to make such a difference and hopefully this is only the beginning!”

The group were awarded the maximum award of £50,000 following considerations by councillors at the recent Renfrewshire Council’s Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board.

Convener of the Board, Councillor Marie McGurk, said: “We were delighted to support this project which will make a huge difference for families and young people in Glenburn.

“The redeveloped park will ensure they have a place to go locally and don’t have to travel further afield for quality play equipment and this is thanks to the tireless work of the Stronger Communities Glenburn volunteers.

“I can’t wait to see the new equipment installed and the benefits it will bring to the local area.

“If you have an idea which could benefit from investment, please get in touch and we’ll support you to make your application.”

The £1.87million fund aims to regenerate and make physical and environmental improvements to areas across Renfrewshire identified by the local community.

Awards from the fund will assist in bringing in external funding, increase community participation in local areas and encourage the process of transferring assets to local communities.

Each application must show it has consulted the local community to ensure there is a need and desire for the project and that it would improve community life.

£370,000 has been ringfenced from the overall £1.87million fund specifically for investment in Renfrewshire’s villages, through the Villages Investment Fund, and applications for this must show that they will strengthen the unique identity, heritage and character of village life.

For more information and to find out how to apply, visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/greenspacesfund.