A step forward for park improvement

Efforts to improve a Kinross-shire park have seen the first success.

The path around Wallace Park in Glenfarg has now been extended right around the whole green space.

The project is the first phase of ongoing work to develop the park.

Originally it was only possible to take a path from the car park to the children’s play area.

With the extension of this path, access to all areas of the park would be possible.

Buggies, wheelchairs and tricycles are enjoying the new freedom. Walkers and dog owners can now take the air without getting their feet wet, and runners have a new circuit to use as part of their training programme.

In the next phase, fitness stations and extra equipment such as a zipwire will be sited along the path.

The path opening comes after three years of work by the Friends of Wallace Park group.

The project began with the Glenfarg Conversation, a survey organised by Glenfarg Community Council which asked residents what improvements they would like to see in their community.

The top priority was for improvements to Wallace Park and so the friends group was formed.

Working in partnership with PKC’s Community Greenspace, plans were drawn up, consultation carried out and fundraising began.

Sadly, COVID-19 restrictions meant the planned official opening of the path was not possible, but some of those involved met up to celebrate its completion.

The project was managed for the friends by TRACKS – The Rural Access Committee of Kinrossshire.

The path was built by J M Dewar Plant Contractors who used some recycled material donated by the Binn Ecopark.

A spokesperson for the Friends of Wallace Park said: “The Friends of Wallace Park are grateful to their funders - Avondale Environmental (part of the NPL Group, through the Scottish Landfill Communities Fund), The Gannochy Trust, The Binn Group, The Kinrossshire Fund and the Community Environment Challenge Fund.”