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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Tracy Carmichael

Almost £1million ploughed in to overhaul Renfrewshire parks

Almost £1 million is being ploughed in to overhaul Renfrewshire's ailing play parks.

Council bosses say the revamp of 11 of the area's play sites will be completed by the end of summer, alongside a new outdoor gym set to be unveiled in Renfrew's Roberston Park.

Brand-new play equipment has been introduced at a host of sites, as the result of the investment.

Kilbarchan Park, Sandyflats and Elderslie Street in Johnstone have been included in the upgrade, as well as Renfrew's Tinto Square and Robertson parks.

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Barwood Park in Erskine and Paisley's Maxwellton, East End, Durrockstock, Morar Drive and Bew Lawers sites have all featured in the uprgrade programme.

Communities - including schools, community groups and councillors - were all asked for feedback on the elements they thought should be included in their area, with responses helping shape plans for each site.

They were also involved in helping to drive the projects at Kilbarchan, Sandyflats, Lochwinnoch, Maxwellton and Barwood.
Basket swings, tower climbing frames and wheelchair-accessible roundabouts and zip slides are amongst the inclusive apparatus set for the revamped parks, with each site selected for equipment based on layout, capacity and community feedback.

Councillor Cathy McEwan, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board, said: "We recognise how important our parks and play areas are to local families and young people which is why we’re making this significant investment.

"In total, 17 play parks will be completely renewed with fresh equipment this year, Robertson Park will get a brand-new outdoor gym and five play parks will be refurbished to improve what’s already there."

She added: "It’s going to make a huge difference to the play opportunities for young people and I can’t wait to see the first phase of this investment complete by the end of the summer."

Cash for the project has come from Renfrewshire Council’s Parks Capital Investment and Green Spaces, Parks and Play Areas and Villages Investment funds, the Scottish Government’s Play Area Renewal Fund and community fundraising.

Renfrew Local Partnership has also supported the creation of an outdoor gym in Robertson Park.

A second phase of investment will see parks at Campbell Street in Renfrew, Crags Road in Paisley, Johnstone's Elm Drive/Sycamore Avenue, Ardgryffe Park in Houston, Churchill Drive in Bishopton and Park Mains in Erskine overhauled, with tenders set to be issued in the summer.

Councillor Michelle Campbell, Depute Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board, commented: "As an administration we have listened to our local communities across Renfrewshire by ensuring our significant play park investment reflects their needs and provides modern, exciting play provision.
"Now more than ever, we know how important it is to invest in modern creative free play for children across our communities."

Other play parks in Renfrewshire are set to be refurbished this year, including Dunvegan Avenue in Elderslie, Howwood Toddler Park, Houston Public Park, Moss Road Park in Bridge of Weir and Inchinnan Playing Fields.

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