Abandoned play area set to be rejuvenated

Exciting plans have been announced to transform an abandoned playground into a woodland adventure area thanks to a £3k grant.
Woodland play area - parents have been given a grant to transform the abandoned play area.Woodland play area - parents have been given a grant to transform the abandoned play area.
Woodland play area - parents have been given a grant to transform the abandoned play area.

Tracey Allan McIntyre and Marianne Prentice, the two Milngavie parents who have formed a sub-committee of Milngavie Community Council to carry out the project, were thrilled when their application for Stalled Spaces funding was successful.

They have enlisted support from three more people – Lonwen Edwards, Sam Jackson and Alison Bain – and together they plan to use the cash to transform the land next to Milngavie Community Education Centre into a natural play area.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

They plan to spend the money on equipment, bark and insurance. They have already planted some wildflowers, with plans for more, and they would like to host bird box workshops and build a willow structure and story telling chair.

However, because Stalled Spaces funding is designed purely for temporary projects, they will not be installing any fixed play equipment.

Marianne Prentice said: “We wanted to bring the place back to life and encourage children to play there and use their imagination.

“We’d like it to be used as an outdoor classroom where the children can learn about nature such as the names of trees and shrubs.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“They can also find out more about the swans and ducks nearby on the pond.

“We’d like to create a more obvious entrance to the play area, as nothing draws people there at the moment, and we think it would be nice to improve the area for everyone to benefit from.

“We are very grateful to the help we’ve received from Milngavie In Bloom and Mugdock Country Park Rangers, who say they would be willing to host workshops there for children in the future.”

Now the project needs volunteers to come along to their regular meetings on Thursday evenings in the play area at 6.30pm.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The group would also like to hear from anyone who has photos of the play area as it was previously.

For more information about this project phone Marianne on 07449313393 or email: [email protected].