The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Playpark plans generate interest
Ambitious plans for a new playpark in the shadow of one of Fife’s most iconic churches have been submitted to the council for approval.
People have been marvelling at and worshipping in the historic St Bryce Kirk in Kirkcaldy for more than 140 years, but the forward-thinking blueprint put forward by neighbouring enterprise PeachyKeen could see a long-neglected part of the church’s grounds transformed to help protect the environment.
As innovators in using human movement to generate electricity, PeachyKeen is looking to create playground equipment that will do just that on a portion of land which is currently underutilised, just off Kirk Wynd.
Various activities are envisaged, including a roundabout, a hand crank, a pedal pod, a water window, a water vortex and an interestingly-named “reaction wall cow” – all of which will generate electricity that can be stored or put into the grid.
Director Andrew Bowie revealed the concept for the renewable energy playpark had been in the pipeline for more than a year now.
However, Mr Bowie and his team are delighted to see the proposals finally go before planners.
“To let you understand, our workshop is right beside St Bryce Kirk and they had this area of land so we just decided to ask them if they would be open to a partnership, which they agreed to with open arms,” he explained.
“In essence, the idea is to put in a series of activities that will produce electricity that can be stored, and the excess could be used to light the paths around the area – that sort of thing.”
It is hoped the idea could spawn similar developments, although Mr Bowie admits that is dependent on the council planners and locals.
But he added: “The help we’ve received from Fife Council in developing the application has been great and we’re aiming to make the playpark as inclusive as possible so it can be used by people from the age of five to 105.
“The people involved with St Bryce Kirk have also been absolutely first class.
“They are obviously getting something that is going to add to the various activities that they have on offer on an area of ground that has been neglected for years, so the whole community has been very enthusiastic about the whole process.”