Designs have been revealed for play parks across Renfrewshire that will be renewed in the coming months, as part of a programme to provide fun and welcoming places for young people and families.
The £763,900 investment will see play areas renewed at 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.
In addition, four play park renewals that were selected as part of Renfrewshire Council’s participatory budgeting campaign #YouDecide, will also be refurbished. These include Glebe Street in Renfrew, Station Road in Langbank, and South Candren Village Green and Jenny’s Well in Paisley.
Communities across the local areas were engaged with to identify the type of equipment they’d like to see in their new play parks.
Their feedback was factored into the designs and the new equipment that will be installed in the play parks include toddler and junior multi-play units, interactive play panels, basket swings, spinners, swing frames, twizzy exercise bars and inclusive roundabouts.
In addition to the refurbishment of the play parks new outdoor gym equipment will also be installed at Thomas Shanks Park, and areas on Old Road and Churchill Drive. The three areas were chosen as successful projects through the #YouDecide campaign.
The renewals will be funded with £258,000 from Renfrewshire Council’s Parks Capital Investment Fund and £307,000 from the Scottish Government’s Play Area Renewal Fund and £168,900 from #YouDecide. A further £30,000 from Green Spaces will be used to fund new outdoor gym equipment at Station Road in Langbank.
Councillor Michelle Campbell, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board, said: “It’s exciting to see plans progress for the refurbishment of the 13 play parks and outdoor gyms across Renfrewshire. The designs for the play parks were informed by engagement with local people to make sure the spaces reflect what our communities want and need.
“We know how important these outdoor spaces are for our communities and ensuring young people and families across Renfrewshire have access to free play has been one of our key priorities.
“Our play park investment programme has already delivered refurbishments to play parks in every council ward area and this next stage will ensure we continue to enhance the outdoor play experience for young people throughout Renfrewshire.”
Since 2021, more than £2.7million has been invested by the council, Scottish Government, and a small amount of community fundraising, in 25 play parks, with a further £995,000 invested in 2023/24.
The Scottish Government has confirmed future funding for Renfrewshire of £461,000 for 2024/25 and £768,000 for 2025/26 – which will take the total investment in its play parks to £4,924,000.
Contractors Scotplay and Sports Ltd, Kompan (Scotland) Ltd, Sutcliffe Play Ltd and Hawthorn Heights have now been appointed to carry out the refurbishments with work due to start at the various sites throughout Spring 2024.