Play area thumbs up from little learners

The impressive new community facility was officially opened last week by East 
Dunbartonshire councillor Ashay Ghai.

And the council learned from the experts before they started work on the new play area .

Pupils at nearby Oxgang Primary School gave their views beforehand about the type of equipment they would like to see on site.

The park now has a full range of new facilities for the youngsters to play on, from multi-swings and slides to climbing frames.

Oxgang head teacher 
Susan Yeoman said: “It was great that the pupils from Oxgang were able to be involved in the design process for the new 
Friarscroft playpark.

“The children thoroughly enjoyed this experience and felt their opinions were valued as members of the local 
community.

“The Oxgang Pupil Council has organised a special end-of-term treat which includes a picnic and visit to this play park for all classes”.

The play area, located near the centre of Kirkintilloch, was upgraded as part of the council’s five-year capital play programme and is in line with its Open Space Strategy.

Councillor Ashay Ghai, 
depute leader of the Council and convenor of Neighbourhood Services, said: “I am 
delighted to open this fantastic play area.

“I am sure is going to be a much-welcomed amenity for local children and families.

“And it couldn’t be a better time of year to do this, with summer just beginning.

“All we need now is some great weather to allow local children to make the most of this fantastic new play park.”

The purpose of the council’s open space strategy is to put parks and open space back at the heart of the community.

A council spokesman said: “We hope to achieve this by actively engaging communities to find out what they would like their local spaces to provide, and by encouraging everyone to become more involved in their design.”