Members of the local community, including schoolchildren from St Ronan’s Primary School and local Councillors, gathered on Friday to officially reopen Innerleithen play park.
Improvements made to facility
The facility has undergone long-awaited drainage works, along with the installation of some new equipment undertaken to improve the site for the continued enjoyment of local children and visitors alike.
The park now includes an additional timber basket swing, multi-play unit with slide, and a trim trail featuring obstacles like balance beams, climbing frames and stepping logs.
Councillors Robin Tatler, Julie Pirone and Marshall Douglas were all in attendance to officially reopen the play park following the improvements.
As part of the improvements, the two existing play areas have been integrated into one fenced enclosure with additional gates installed.
The play park has also been resurfaced with a synthetic, environmentally friendly turf product which is the UK’s first fully recyclable safety surface. This, along with the installation of additional land drainage, will improve the condition of the overall site which has experienced waterlogging issues in recent years.
Funding for play parks
The park has been funded as part of Scottish Borders Council’s Capital Programme for Play Areas and Community Outdoor Spaces, supported by Scottish Government funding.
The prioritised capital investment programme was agreed for the period 2022-2029 with play facility upgrades being planned in consultation with communities across a range of sites.
The programme will see an investment of almost £5 million to enhance these facilities for current and future generations, providing significant play opportunities for all.
Councillor John Greenwell, Executive Member for Roads & Public Space Development:
“It gives me great joy seeing the reaction of the young people here today who are enjoying the play park facilities once again following several months of refurbishments.
“It demonstrates clearly just how important these facilities are within local communities and confirms how essential our capital investment programme for play parks is in protecting play opportunities for future generations across the Scottish Borders.”