Play parks across Renfrewshire are set to be renewed thanks to a £657,000 investment in brand-new play equipment and refurbishments.
The investment will see five play areas renewed, namely Anne Avenue and Victory Gardens in Renfrew, Tannahill Crescent and Miller Street in Johnstone, and Netherhill Road in Paisley – and a further play area at Urquhart Crescent in Renfrew will be refurbished.
Local communities from each of the local areas will be engaged with to identify the type of equipment they’d like to see in their new play parks ahead of tenders being issued over the summer.
The renewals will be funded with £300,000 from Renfrewshire Council’s Parks Capital Investment Fund and £307,000 from the Scottish Government’s Play Area Renewal Fund.
Councillor Michelle Campbell, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board, said: “I’m delighted to see our budget deliver even more investment in our local play parks as we know how valuable they are to young people and families across Renfrewshire. We have prioritised ensuring free play is secured for all across our communities as we know how important these outdoor spaces are for our communities.
“Providing safe, modern places to play is vital as we continue to encourage young people to get outdoors, be more active and experience nature.
“We’ll be speaking to local people about what items of equipment they’d like to see in each of the play parks so please take part in the engagement period so we can ensure the renewals bring the biggest benefit possible to our communities.”
The upgrades follow a £1.1million investment in Renfrewshire’s play parks by the administration’s budget over the past two years, with a play park in every ward area in Renfrewshire seeing at least one play park fully renewed and several more undergoing refurbishments.
Play parks such as Barwood Park in Erskine, Durrockstock Park in Paisley, Lochwinnoch Park and Tinto Square in Renfrew, have all received new equipment, like aerial runways, tower multiplay units, basket swings, rope nets, parent and toddler swings, and inclusive roundabouts, to enhance the play experience for young people.