Play Parks Investment
Overview
Across the Scottish Borders there are 187 play parks that we manage, ranging from smaller local areas for play to large ‘destination’ play parks and those situated within schools. These facilities play an important part in community wellbeing, providing opportunities for a broad range of outdoor play for children and young people, inclusive of all abilities.
Update on Play Parks and Outdoor Community Spaces Investment Programme
In 2022, a £4million Capital Investment Plan was approved for the strategic upgrade and renewal of prioritised play areas throughout 2022-2029, in recognition of the value of these facilities to community wellbeing as part of vibrant, sustainable and healthy communities. This programme incorporates £900k of Scottish Government funding as part of a national Play Parks Renewal Programme.
The prioritised investment plan was agreed with ward members across all 11 wards alongside a suitability and condition assessment. Integral to the programme rollout is community engagement on local priorities for play as a Participatory Budgeting exercise.
Following delivery of individually tendered projects in 22/23, the Council moved to award a two-year contract from 23/24, enabling the concurrent delivery of a range of projects across 23/24 and 24/25. The successful tenderer was Kompan, who have worked closely with the Project delivery team. Officers from Parks & Environment, Engineering & Design and SBC Contracts have worked tirelessly to deliver a variety of projects across the region.
Since 2022, Scottish Borders Council has completed the renewal of Play Parks in 13 communities across the region, ranging from Destination Play Parks and Skate Parks to local community facilities.
A further five are scheduled for completion before the end of 24/25.
Listed below are play parks which have either been completed or are scheduled for completion under the current phase.
Cheviot
St Boswells - complete
High Croft, Kelso - complete
Allerley Well Park, Jedburgh - complete
Roxburgh - complete
Heiton - complete
Jedburgh Skate Park - scheduled October 2024
Teviot & Liddesdale
Sleepy Valley, Hawick - complete
Newcastleton - scheduled November 2024
Tweeddale
Walkerburn Pump Track - complete
Broughton - scheduled March 2025
Eildon
Bog Park, Selkirk - complete
The Orchard, Newstead - complete
Woodstock Ave, Galashiels - complete
Berwickshire
Duns Public Park - complete
The Green, Gavinton - complete
Windram Park, Chirnside - complete
Paxton - scheduled March 2025
St Abbs - scheduled November 2024
Second phase of investment works
The next phase is programmed based on the currently agreed priorities and will see delivery of investment across a further 8 play parks scheduled over 25/26 - 26/27.
Cheviot
Nisbet
Teviot & Liddesdale
The Loaning, Denholm
Bonchester Bridge
Tweeddale
Alexandra Park, Walkerburn
Eildon
Earlston Primary School
Scott Park, Galashiels
Berwickshire
Eyemouth
Berwickshire - Ayton
This is a flexible process which can take into consideration changing local priorities, community aspirations and any new or emerging local or national funding opportunities that may arise – the investment programme is overseen by a Members Reference Group.
Work undertaken before 2022
Previous to the current Capital Investment Programme, a number of play parks received investment as part of the 2018-2022 investment programme, summarised below;
Cheviot
Harestanes
Shedden Park, Kelso
Teviot & Liddesdale
Wilton Lodge Park, Hawick
Tweeddale
Victoria Park, Peebles
Eildon
Newtown St Boswells
Berwickshire
Home Park, Coldstream