A new Inclusive Play Park in Central Avenue, Gretna has been officially opened – offering fantastic new facilities for children and young people of all ages and abilities.
The project, which has seen the full transformation of Central Avenue Play Park has been delivered by a small Sub-Group of Gretna and Rigg Community Council led by Ward Councillor Archie Dryburgh.
The group came together approximately 18 months ago to explore the possibilities and opportunities to create a new park. With support from Dumfries and Galloway Council the group successfully engaged with their community and began to develop their vision for the park.
A short, but very successful fundraising campaign was launched which Dumfries and Galloway Council kicked off, committing £104,000 to the park. The group used this to approach other funding bodies and secured £80,000 from the council’s Coastal Benefit Fund and £20,000 from Beck Burn Wind Farm Community Fund. Locally, volunteers held various events including coffee mornings and bingo nights and together they raised £210,000 for the new park.
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 goes 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.”
Archie Dryburgh, Chair of the Sub Group and Ward councillor said:
“It is brilliant to see the new inclusive play park being used, particularly by children who require accessible equipment. 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.”
