Win on the swings, win on the roundabouts
Communities across rural Stirling are being advised that money is available to improve play facilities.
Stirling Council set its budget for 2017/18 last week, with £100,000 earmarked for improving play areas.
Trossachs and Teith councillor Martin Earl said that the money will help to improve areas which may have been neglected.
He said:“There are many pieces of play equipment across our area that need replacing or renovating and the money allocated in the budget will help do that.
“This is important and all our children deserve a decent, imaginative play space within their community.
“Community organisations across the area are working on various projects and the council can now support these efforts so we can upgrade equipment across the area.
“There is also the opportunity to support developments of new, innovative play spaces such as the parent council-led project at Kincardine in Menteith Primary School.”
Isla Craig, chairwoman of Strathfillan Community Development Trust, said: “Children and parents in Crianlarich were really upset when the main piece of play equipment was unexpectedly removed from Crianlarich playpark in December, having failed a safety inspection.
“We were delighted to hear that Stirling Council have now approved funding for purchase and renovation of play equipment.
“We hope that the council will now be in a position to assist our community fundraising efforts.
“If our funding applications are successful we hope to have the missing equipment replaced by the middle of the year.”
Strathyre is another area that is also hoping for improvements to its playpark.
Sarah Gibson of Balquhidder, Lochearnhead and Strathyre Community Development Trust said:“The play park in Strathyre has been in a bad state of repair for over a year now.
“We are very pleased to hear that Stirling Council have made this provision in their budget. We look forward to working with them to match the funds we have raised locally to purchase muchneeded play equipment.”