People urged to have their say on play park plans.

Authority’s plans to change provision of facilities to face public scrutiny

Communities are being urged to have their say on controversial plans which could dramatically change playpark provision across Fife.

It would cost £34 million to refurbish existing sites and Fife Council has drafted a ‘play spaces strategy’ to address some of the long-term challenges it faces in developing and maintaining them.

The local authority manages 446 sites with play equipment in parks and green spaces but 82% of the play equipment is expected to reach the end of its life in the next decade, while 151 sites have three or fewer pieces of play equipment with limited value.

A consultation will run until December to gather feedback to influence the final plan, with many parks likely to be removed or altered.

Greenspace officer Kevin O’Kane said: “It’s important that we have good green spaces for children to play in.

“We want to reshape playparks to make sure that we can offer high quality and varied outdoor play opportunities for children of all ages and we need to ensure we have suitable resources and budget to sustain this longer term.”

Every area has population-dependent proposals, with parks falling into different categories.

Glenrothes currently has 83 sites in town but the strategy suggests that should be cut to 32.

One larger “destination” playpark is proposed along with five “town” playparks and 26 “neighbourhood” playparks. The other 51 sites will be transformed into green spaces for play.

Another example, Dalgety Bay, would see the number of sites cut from 13 to six, consisting of one town playpark and five local playparks, including two new ones, and eight green spaces.

Mr O’Kane said: “We think this will offer improved opportunities for children’s play, but it does mean redesigning what’s currently on offer across Fife. 152 of the play sites could be transformed into green space that offers alternative play features.

“We’re looking forward to working with local communities to finalise the plans for their areas and encourage as many people as possible to share their ideas and opinions.”

The draft strategy and maps that show proposals for each local area are available online at fifedirect.org.uk/ playparks and there is also a link to the online consultation, which will run until December 10.

Public meetings will also be held across Fife.

Children enjoying a playpark in Thornton. Many sites across Fife could be redesigned.