All-inclusive play park opens in Gretna
The community and council both contributed financially to the project
A new all-inclusive play park has opened in Gretna today with facilities suitable for all ages and abilities.
The project was delivered jointly by the council and community.
Together, they managed to raise £210,000 from fundraising efforts and funding grants.
Dumfries and Galloway Council kicked started a fundraising campaign, committing £104,000.
£80,000 was secured from the council’s Coastal Benefit Fund and £20,000 from Beck Burn Wind Farm Community Fund.
Local volunteers held many events such as coffee mornings and bingo nights, which helped contribute to the final amount raised.
Ward Councillor Archie Dryburgh, Chair of the Sub-Group of Gretna and Rigg Community Council – the team that led this transformation on Central Avenue – says it is “brilliant to see the new inclusive play park being used, particularly by children who require accessible equipment.”
The group formed around 18 months ago to explore all options that would benefit everyone’s needs.
With support from the council, they were able to engage with the community and devise a joint vision for the park.
Dryburgh added:
“It has been a short journey for the team behind this project, and this is absolutely down to their dedication to ensuring they deliver a new play park for the children of Gretna as quickly as they could.
“It has been great working with all of the volunteers involved and, of course, with our council’s staff who have been with us every step of the way.”
The Chair of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Ian Blake, said:
“This project is a great example of our council and community partners working together to achieve a project that brings huge benefits to the local area and, most importantly, to our children and young people.
“The hard work and determination of the Gretna and Rigg Community Council Sub-Group is to be commended.”
Jackie McCamon, Vice Chair of the committee, added:
“Projects like these just go to show what can be achieved with our council’s partnership approach with communities.
“This is a great facility for Gretna and has been a great team effort, and I would like to congratulate everyone involved.”