Volunteers hit out over state of historic park
Volunteers who help keep Stirling’s foremost city centre park looking its best are calling for lessons to be learned after rain and runners left it churned up.
Driving rain and wind created muddy conditions for the Run Stirling event earlier this month, which saw hundreds of runners brave a route through Stirling, includings its historic Kings Park.
Now local group Friends of Kings Park are seeking answers as to when and how the normally picturesque spot will be restored to its former glory.
The Friends’ spokesperson Hector Currie told the Observer, while the group was generally supportive of activities in the park, on this occasion lessons needed to be learned.
He said: “A key function of Kings Park public park is the opportunity it provides for healthy exercise be that walking, jogging or running.
“In that context, the Stirling Run on January 11 was an entirely appropriate event for the park.
“However, no event in achieving its objective should damage, far less destroy, any part of the fabric of the park. Given the awful conditions, unwittingly, through no fault of any single runner but by the impact of more than 1000 runners’ feet, the consequence has been the destruction of elements of the park’s grassland.”
While some regeneration will take place, added Mr Currie, in some areas that were part of the running route, grass has “simply ceased to exist”.
“Some ground is so defaced it will require significant re-instatement work and expenditure by Stirling Council which ironically, is one of the organising Run’s partners.”
Mr Currie said the Friends were sure many park users would like details of a reinstatement plan and a timetable to bring “what is supposed to be Stirling’s premier park” to its pre-Run condition.
“It may also wish to reflect on the lessons from this experience about holding such events in the middle of winter. It should not require hindsight to realise that the Stirling Run should have been re-scheduled before Saturday due to the atrocious weather expected that morning, no matter the disappointment that would have caused - though some runners may have been relieved.”
A Stirling Council spokesperson said: “Kings Park played host to a successful day of international cross-country racing on Saturday that again showcased Stirling as a key location for top class sporting events.
“The weather this year was particularly challenging although thankfully most of the damage caused to the park was superficial.
“The condition of Kings Park will improve naturally over time, and any areas which require turfing, rolling and brushing will be worked on once the weather improves. As Run Stirling was a Stirling Council event, the cost for these works will be met from within the event budget.”