South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth is urging the local community to get behind exciting proposals for a flagship inclusive play park in Annan.
The local MSP was commenting after discussing plans for the park with members of the Annan Play Park Steering Group at their recent meeting.
The Group were formed in 2015 to raise funds through external funding and fundraising to create (after a public consultation) an inclusive play park suitable for all abilities and ages from 1-101.
Plans for the park could take a major step forward next week when a report goes before Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Communities Committee on 5 September. The report recommends awarding £125,000 to Annan Play Park Steering Group to support the development of a park in Annan, from a £500,000 inclusive play park fund set up by the previous Labour administration in their budget. In addition, around £16,5000 is proposed to make a number of improvements in disabled parking and access at the preferred site for the park.
Colin Smyth said, “It was great to meet up with the Steering Group to discuss their campaign for a flagship play park in Annan and to see the detailed vision they have for the park. Developing inclusive play parks for all is an issue that I’m really passionate about. That’s why one of the last things I did as a Councillor was propose the establishment of a dedicated £500,000 council fund to help develop inclusive parks. Annan will be one three areas to benefit from that fund in the next year. But we know that to develop a real flagship, inclusive park, local communities will also have to attract external funding and the Annan steering group have been busy not only fundraising themselves but are identifying possible sources of external funding. I would encourage the local community to get behind the work the group are doing and urge volunteers to get involved if they have a spare hour or two to support the group’s work”.
Annan Play Park Steering Group Secretary Louise Ross said, “There is real momentum building behind our campaign to deliver a flagship play park that the whole community of Annan can be proud of. We have consulted on what people of all ages would like such a park to look like and have some initial outline proposals. We also plan to hold another awareness raising event at the forthcoming Day of the Regions in Annan. The level of support from the community has been tremendous and it’s great to have the backing of MSP Colin Smyth who proposed the council’s inclusive play park fund. But we are always looking for new volunteers to not only help with fundraising but to get involved in the next stages of our campaign.”
The next meeting of the Group takes place on 12th September at 6pm in Annan Town Hall for anyone interested in attending. Anyone interested in supporting the Group or being a member can come along to the meeting or e mail the Group [email protected]
In addition to the play park in Annan, the report to the Council’s Communities Committee recommends funding towards groups in Stranraer and Dumfries to support parks. The recommendations have been welcomed by Colin Smyth.
Colin Smyth said, “When I proposed the inclusive park fund it was inspired by a visit to the Usual Place in Dumfries and a meeting there with the Parental Inclusion Network who were developing the project for Catherine Street. I met a family who had a severely disabled son. They told me that often they didn’t take their son to the local park with the rest of their children because the equipment wasn’t accessible for him and he had to sit and watch his brother and sister play. It was truly heart-breaking and just isn’t right. All our parks should be accessible to all. I hope that the council can continue this fund in the long term and have a default position that anytime they replace equipment in a park or build a new park, it is accessible to everyone.”
