Swings and roundabouts for playparks
One facing axe, others to get upgrade
A host of playparks across the Stirling Council area are to get a £250,000 equipment revamp over the next 10 months - but one in Broomridge could be closed.
Funding looks set to be ploughed into overhauling around 26 playparks but a small one at Archers/Maurice Avenue has been earmarked for the axe.
Council officers say the focus in that area should be on another park a short distance away.
In a report due before tomorrow’s (Thursday) environment and housing committee, council environment officials said: “The focus of investment in this area of Broomridge shall be at Wallace Park and discontinuation of the small nearby play space at Archers/Maurice Avenue.
“This play space is only 185 metres away and a two-minute off-road walk from Wallace Play Park and comprises a toddler swing and small slide unit at their end of service life.
“It is proposed to invest in Wallace play park while at the same time decommisioning the anomaly of the small, token and low value play area.”
The report argues that the move would not only make sense financially but get rid of a duplication of facilities and help to provide an improved play experience for children “without any overall loss”.
The discontinued play space would be “grassed over” under the plans, while £14,000 would be spent on Wallace Park including new climbing equipment and a swing.
The council earlier this year approved spending of £250,000 comprising £150,000 from its own coffers and £100,000 of contributions from housing developers.
Among those in the prioritised list for investment are: Church Park, Cowie (£20,000); Drypow Park, Fallin (£12,000); George Street, Dunblane (£9,000); Stein Square, Bannockburn (£13,000); Causewayhead Park (£7,000) and Charles Crescent, Drymen (£8,000).
Laigh Hills Park in Dunblane would see investment of £71,550, with contributions by local housing developers bringing the sum up to £87,000. Donaldson Park in Balfron will receive £48,000 - £29,450 from the council and the rest from developers.
An annual independent playground engineer’s report informs the service on play equipment requiring removal or near end of service life.
While replacing play equipment and any safer surfacing will be the focus this year, in future years furniture, fencing, gates and access will require investment.
Officials say in the report: “Equipment has been prioritised on the criteria of health and safety, remaining service life and community group funding.
“Where communities have mobilised play park interest groups to raise external funds to invest in local pocket play parks, the capital programme shall seek to support such efforts through partnership funding and assistance with procurement.
“Several play areas have recently enjoyed investment via the capital park masterplan implementation programme for which a separate £50,000 budget allocation exists.
“Some others have or continue to be eligible for enhancement through developers’ contributions. These have therefore not been included, the exceptions being Laigh Hills Park and Donaldson Park.”
Communities will be consulted on the specific equipment they want to see.
While replacing play equipment and safer surfacing will be the focus this year, in future years furniture, fencing, gates and access will require investment say officials.