Green Spaces, Parks and Play Areas and Villages Investment Fund

Brand-new pump track in Johnstone, social garden in Lochwinnoch and bowling green upgrade in Renfrew the latest projects put forward for Green Spaces, Parks and Play Areas and Villages Investment Fund

BMX riders and skateboarders could have the opportunity to ride a new pump track placed in Thomas Shanks Park in Johnstone should an application to the Green Spaces, Parks and Play Areas and Villages Investment Fund be approved next week.

Johnstone Community Council are seeking £48,000 to install the pump track which is a circuit of rollers, banked turns and features designed to be ridden using up and down body movements as opposed to pedalling.

There is not currently a similar type of track in Renfrewshire and, if their application is approved, the community council will be engaging with the community on its possible installation – or if a similar activity is more desired.

It’s one of three projects set to be put forward for approval, with a new irrigation system for Robertson Park Bowling Club and a social garden in Lochwinnoch also on the table.

Lochwinnoch Community Development Trust (LCDT) have applied for £25,000 to build a community social garden on leased land behind Lochwinnoch Parish Church, sharing it with local group Local Energy Action Plan (LEAP).

The garden would provide for the community through a community market and foodbank, while they would also look to add flower beds, vegetable patches and an outdoor classroom which would include a sensory garden and learning space.

Robertson Park Bowling Club have asked for £16,675 towards a new irrigation system which will help ensure the greens are maintained throughout the year, particularly during the dry summer months.

It would help the club maintain their regular matches, as well as the weekly school sessions they provide for pupils from Newmains, Arkleston, Kirklandnuek and St James’ Primary Schools.

Councillors will consider the application at the Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board on 15 March.

Councillor Marie McGurk, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board, said: “This fund has been one of the things I am most proud of since it was launched in 2018 as it has made such a real difference to almost every community in Renfrewshire.

“73 different projects have received funding so far, with play parks, community gardens, nature reserves, growing grounds, sports facilities and more all being created or upgraded in our local neighbourhoods.

“It’s been a real example of the Council and the community working together to make positive change in Renfrewshire.

“I look forward to considering these latest projects with my fellow councillors at the forthcoming board meeting.”

Since the last board, five projects have been awarded funding under delegated authority from the Villages Investment Fund, taking the total invested in village projects to more than £420,000.

Kilbarchan Smile received funding for a bench and a raised flower bed to be installed on the grounds of the Mary Barbour Cairn on New Street, Kilbarchan, while Friends of Howwood Park were awarded a grant to support their 2022 events programme in the park as well as a suite of tools to help with maintenance.

Gryffe Rotary Club have received funding for signage along their ‘Walk for Life’ project which allows villagers to walk down the valley the length of the river through Kilmacolm, Bridge of Weir, Houston, Crosslee, Linwood Moss and Linwood Community Woods to the On-X Sports Centre in Linwood.

Bonnie Bishopton will use their funding to create inviting flowerbeds and maintain them as they look to make their area more appealing and LCDT will use a grant award to plan and design how they would create their community garden.

For more information, visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/greenspacesfund.