Sculpture is child’s play for families in the garden

AN exciting new interactive play sculpture will be unveiled at Fruit Bowls Community Garden in Lochee on Saturday.

The sculpture, based at the garden on Ancrum Road opposite the primary school, will increase opportunities for local families to discover the joy of play.

The sculpture has been funded by Play Scotland and created as a partnership between ScrapAntics, a local social enterprise focused on “creative recycling”, local children and the committee and volunteers at Fruit Bowls Garden.

ScrapAntics believe in the power of play to benefit children’s lives, encouraging them to use their imaginations and develop skills in working together, listening and communication. During workshops with St Mary’s and Ancrum Road primaries, pupils created maps and drawings of Lochee and Dundee which have informed the design of the play sculpture.

The sculpture itself is a tall wooden pole, decorated with carvings of the children’s drawings, like a totem pole.

The carving was carried out by locally based artist Owen Pilgrim.

The sculpture is accompanied by a number of interactive elements to encourage play and a range of other boards, pallets, tubes and recycled materials which children can transform into new objects during play sessions.

The sculpture will offer both a shelter and a sensory play experience for children of all abilities.

Play Scotland are a national organisation who have been partnering with ScrapAntics to bring play opportunities to parks and public spaces across Dundee over the past two years.

This project supports their objective of bringing more opportunities for play to children across Scotland and raising awareness of the vital importance of play.

A spokesperson said: “We know that play is a life-enhancing experience. Play builds children’s capacity to thrive despite stress and adversity in their lives. ‘Just playing’ can help build more resilient children.”

The sculpture has been created by, and for, the Lochee community, to encourage families and organised groups to participate in outdoor play in a safe environment and increase opportunities for the community to use and take ownership of their green space.

Fruit Bowls Garden is open to the public, with everyone welcome to go to find out more or for some friendly conversation.