New £1m ‘Meedies’ playpark starts to take shape online

Afirst glimpse of a state-of-the-art new playpark at Lochore Meadows has been revealed. A computer generated “fly-through” video of how the new park could look has been produced, showing people the scale of the huge project.

Lochore Meadows Country Park – known as the ‘Meedies’ – is Fife’s most popular beauty spot attracting more than 835,000 visitors a year.

Up to £1 million could be spent on transforming the park’s play area.

Fife Council has earmarked £500,000 towards the project and it is hoped a similar amount can be found from outside sources.

Equipment suitable for people with disabilities will also be installed to make the park more inclusive.

Regular visitors will be pleased to hear the muchloved “volcano hill” and hill slides will be retained and improved.

The replacement playpark will occupy the same space as the existing facility, next to the Willie Clarke Centre.

The revamp is just the latest in an ongoing programme of improvements to the country park.

In April 2018 the former cafe was replaced by the £1.8 million Willie Clarke Centre.

A children’s fairy woodland was added in 2020 by locals during lockdown.

In July, the locomotive engine, a permanent feature for decades, was removed for a 12-month restoration.

While the new footage offers a first glimpse of how the refurbishment could look, the public will also have a major say in the finished product.

A number of public consultation events are taking place with people urged to say what they would like included.

A spokesperson for Lochore Meadows said: “We have been working very hard to create a new play area for the park and there are now some early illustrations and a 3D flythrough video available to show people the layout and examples of the type of equipment that is possible in an accessible destination playpark.

“But we do need feedback from those who are likely to use the play area.

“That’s why a number of consultation events will take place at various venues.

“Friends of Lochore Meadows group will be available to answer any questions and take any suggestions which can be passed to the design team to shape the final product.”

Consultations will be held at the Willie Clarke Centre in the park on Friday, from 6 to 8pm, and on Saturday and Sunday, from noon until 2pm.

FIRST LOOK: A glimpse of the playpark – with public consultations taking place this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.