Views sought on park life to ensure access for all
Plans to upgrade Alyth’s Diamond Jubilee Park are progressing thanks to the efforts of a committed band of local volunteers.
A dedicated Jubilee Park Working Group has been set up to assist Alyth Development Trust (ADT) with looking into the feasibility of making improvements to the popular park.
The park is currently mostly used by walkers, as well as Alyth AFC, but those behind the drive to upgrade the facility believe it has the potential to attract more visitors.
And, as part of efforts to ensure that the local community is as involved in the developments as much as possible, a number of steps have been taken.
These include setting up a social media presence and launching a community consultation survey.
Local resident Steven Boath is chairing the new group.
He said: “Our aim is to ensure as much feedback is gathered about what the community wants and, along with ADT, try to find ways of getting things done.
“We have set up a Facebook page, an email address and an online community consultation survey.
“Sadly we cannot deliver copies of the survey to houses due to Covid-19 restrictions so if you have relatives or friends who cannot access it please lend a hand to get their views and submit the survey on their behalf.
“Alternatively, paper copies are available in Lunan’s Newsagents and the Co-op in Market Square.
“The community consultation is a substantial tool when it comes to applying for funding – if you want improvements please take just five minutes out of your day to complete it.
“We cannot promise every idea will happen, however, we have identified through discussions that the need for a path route is something to start with, suitable for prams, wheelchairs, mobility scooters, walkers, runners, cyclists, carers taking clients out for a walk in a safer environment etc.
“It could even form a connection to the town from Pitcrocknie Village, encouraging residents to use the local businesses.
“We are in discussion with the developers of Pitcrocknie who have indicated they are going to look into the feasibility of carrying out some of the works for a pathway, although no final decision has been taken on anything and can’t be decided on until the consultation
is complete and the community have had their say.
“We want to hear from local groups and organisations on how we can all work together to make the park a better experience for everyone.”
Diamond Jubilee Park was gifted to the community and has been used for a range of events, including regularly hosting the Alyth and District Agricultural Show and Alyth Gala Days, as well as other oneoff events such as a fundraising event following the devastating flooding that hit
the town in 2015 and a moving tribute as part of the Black Lives Matter movement last year.
Steven added: “There’s a lot of people in Alyth who can’t use the path in the park at the moment and our first aim is to make the park accessible to all abilities.
“We want to make it worthwhile for people to come to the town and for people to stay and spend some time here rather than jumping in their cars and going somewhere else.
“We’ve had a good response to the
consultation so far with lots of support for the path upgrade as well as other suggestions such as an all-weather pitch, an upgrade to the play equipment and a skate park.
“If you want to have a say on any potential improvements to the park in future please complete the survey - without doing it your ideas may be missed.”
The survey can be completed online at www.surveymonkey.com/r/KKHN8SP and will be open until April 14.