Kinlochleven enjoys park life thanks to fundraisers
Kinlochleven’s Island Park is now carefully manicured and ready to welcome users, although a bit more work is needed before it can host sporting events, writes Iain Ferguson.
Thanks to the efforts of the recently-formed Island Park Community Field Charity it has had several ‘haircuts’ to bring the grass down to a height where it is an attractive location for picnics and pets.
One of the charity’s first acquisitions was a sit-on mower, bought with help from the Kinlochleven Community Development Fund and The Highland Council Ward Discretionary Fund.
Many days and many trips up and down the park by volunteers, who also built a shed to house the mower, have been rewarded with an extensive area of short grass. However, while a good start has been made, fundraising goes on to pay for further work including spiking and rolling to smooth out the surface and help drainage so it is in perfect condition to be used for football and other sports. Recently, keen footballers, who play for fun and fitness each Monday evening, formed themselves into Celtic and Rangers supporters teams for a charity match on the village astroturf pitch. The match raised almost £1,200, which will be added to the fund. Winners Celtic were presented with the Colin MacDougall Shield, named after a local man who, throughout his life, encouraged young people to look after the village.
Fundraising continues this Saturday, July 17, with a sale of homebaking and a raffle, with many other events planned throughout the year to improve and maintain Island Park as a major asset to the village.