Play time at Rouken Glen

Costing £270,000, the new playground is part of £3 million investment in Rouken Glen by East Renfrewshire Council — and the final design includes features developed by consulting with parents and youngsters from East Ren schools.

Councillor Vincent Waters, East Ren’s environment convener, commented: “I’m delighted that our fantastic new play area is open in time for children and families to enjoy during the summer holidays.

“We worked with parents and youngsters to deliver the ultimate play area. It was important to us to create an inclusive playground and the area has been designed to be accessible for all with more than 25 pieces of equipment, which includes equipment for wheelchair users to enjoy, a dedicated toddler area and a multisensory section.”

The centre-piece of the playground is a pirate ship with a seven metre tall bird’s nest tower. Other highlights include a climbing wall, swings, a train, a trampoline, and two 30 metre zip wire racers.

The playground’s various zones take inspiration from the Rouken Glen boating pond and the area’s woodland.

Opinions on the design of what the council call an “ultimate playground” were also sought from East Renfrewshire Disability Alliance, staff at from Isobel Mair School, and East Renfrewshire Access Panel.

Stuart Wetherell, sales director of designers Wicksteed Playgrounds, added that the company are “delighted to have been part of the transformation at Rouken Glen Park — no more so than our area sales manager, Angus Mackintosh, who grew up in the area and visited the park on many occasions as a child.

“By incorporating play, fitness and inclusive elements into the site we hope that the whole community can enjoy the newly refurbished park for many years to come.”

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