Flying start for new adventure playground
Arran’s new adventure playground has had a super successful start.
Families have been flocking to the Isle be Wild attraction at Brodick Castle and Country Park since it opened on Saturday.
It has already led to a big increase in visitors to the castle gardens, at a time when the castle itself is closed, giving a huge boost to revenue for the National Trust for Scotland property.
Access is free to the playpark with the normal garden admission price, but interim property manager Chris Mills says, that annual Trust family membership take up has soared in the last few days as it is the cheapest way to regularly use the attraction.
He said: ‘I know it is the start of the school holidays, but the launch has been amazing and not just from local and visitors who are here. People have been telling us they have come over for the attraction and that is good news all round if we can bring more people to the island.’
The fact that all castle vis-
-sitors now have wristbands – which change colour each day to prevent repeat use – will also help control anyone trying to use the gardens without paying, a problem highlighted by the Banner in the past.
However, only hours before the playpark was due to open, some minor damage was caused by vandalism at the new attraction.
On Friday night two bolted down stools, away from the main cafe area, were ripped from their moorings, which Chris described as ‘disappointing’. Arran police have been informed.
‘All we would ask is that people respect what we are trying to do as we want the attraction to be available at all times to everyone.
‘The facility is going to be important to bring revenue to the castle and that in turn means we can improve what we do here,’ Chris added.
New sensory play equipment has already been ordered for the park and, depending on its success, a second phase could be considered in the future.
Meanwhile, a crackdown on boy races using the castle drive as a racetrack will see barriers erected at the entrance and exit.