Child’s play in Touch as residents celebrate reopening of park

Area’s playpark is transformed and has range of new equipment thanks to group’s hard work

Families in the Touch area of Dunfermline are celebrating the reopening of their playpark following a major transformation.

The area’s two playparks were more than 30 years old and had just a few swings and other pieces of play equipment.

The lack of facilities for local children was identified thanks to the work of the Touch Family Night Group.

Fife Provost Jim Leishman, who opened the new park, said council officers met group members and residents to make planning a new park child’s play.

There was general agreement not to replace the park at Law Road but to instead concentrate efforts on transforming the area at Fodbank View.

“Instead of just a replacement set of swings and a climbing unit, there is now a whole range of equipment for all ages of children,” he said.

There is also an outdoor gym for the parents to keep fit.

“It’s really great to see the tired park replaced with this fantastic new one,” Mr Leishman continued.

“It’s set to help deliver lots of outdoor fun and physical activity for residents of all ages.”

Rosslynn Clusker from the night group said: “When Touch Family Night first started it was highlighted that there was no safe place for kids to play.

“Our park was run down and the swings had been taken away.

“Nine mums then sat around a table and came up with a plan as to how to get a new park, as they felt forgotten going so many years without.

“Now 18 months later they have a park and a safe place for kids to play, and it’s absolutely fantastic.

“What makes it so amazing is that the local kids from Touch picked the equipment themselves.”

Fife Council has designed and funded the refurbishments to the playpark with funding of more than £130,000 from an allocation to improve health through sports and leisure.

Its housing services also contributed to the project with funding designed to support environmental improvements.

Nine mums then sat around a table and came up with a plan as to how to get a new park, as they felt forgotten going so many years without. ROSSLYNN CLUSKER

Councillor Helen Law and Provost Jim Leishman with children and members of the group.