Big boost in bid to build new play park

Plans to create an inclusive, allability play park in Perth have taken a step forward, after campaigners were handed a £46,000 boost.

Claire Wilkie and friend Katharine McKay have been working hard to get a disabilityfriendly play park built on the North Inch in Perth after finding there was nowhere close by to take Claire’s daughter Maisie to play.

Maisie has cerebral palsy, which has left her bound to a wheelchair with limited movement, restricting her from enjoying play parks across the city.

Over the past two years, the ‘Maisie Moo’s Magical Moments’ campaign has raised around £100,000 to make this dream a reality, and work to build the park is expected to begin after the summer holidays.

Should all the plans go ahead as scheduled, the play park would be open in time for the October holidays.

In a statement, the Maisie Moo’s Magical Moments campaign said: “In the second half of last year, in conjunction with Live Active Leisure, a funding application was submitted to The Gannochy Trust and we are delighted to announce that we’ve been awarded £46,000.

“To say that we’re absolutely delighted by this is an understatement and we can’t thank them enough for supporting our project.

“As a result of all the fundraising efforts and donations, awards from Perth and Kinross Council, The Gannochy Trust and Help for Kids, we have raised approximately £100,000.

“Thank you so, so much to everyone who has had a part to play in making this project a reality.

“Work on the park will begin after the summer holidays, later than scheduled, mainly because of other projects overrunning and not wanting to close the park during the holidays, which we wholly support.

“However we’re hopeful that all the work will be complete in readiness for the October holidays.”

Those behind the campaign added they are keen for the whole community to be involved in the park’s construction through a number of art projects, and say an updated plan on the works will be issued soon.

It is hoped the park will include a wheel spin, which is a roundabout for wheelchair users, a ground level trampoline and other pieces of sensory equipment.

The North Inch play park is also well situated next to a changing places toilet in Bell’s Sports Centre.