Renfrewshire Council

The six-figure funding programme curated by Renfrewshire Council either installs brand-new equipment as part of a full renewal of the play park or refurbishes existing equipment to enhance the current play environment.

Since 2021, more than £2.7million has been invested by the council, Scottish Government, and a small amount of community fundraising, in 25 play parks, with a further £995,000 to be invested in 2023/24. The Scottish Government has confirmed future funding for Renfrewshire of £461,000 for 2024/25 and £768,000 for 2025/26 - which will take the total investment in its play parks to £4,924,000.

Play parks included in the 2023/24 programme include Charles Avenue, Urquhart Crescent and Victory Gardens in Renfrew; Benston Place and Miller Street in Johnstone; Park Mains in Erskine; and Netherhill Road in Paisley.

Refurbishments will also take place this year to the play parks at Howwood Toddler Park, Houston Public Park and Inchinnan Playing Fields.

Councillor Michelle Campbell, Convener of Renfrewshire Council's Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board, said: "The importance of providing safe, inviting places for outdoor play cannot be underestimated and I'm extremely proud of the investment we're making in our play parks.

"These are safe havens for local families and provide young people with the opportunity to have fun, get active and meet new friends.

"We have already provided brand-new play parks in every council ward area and we'll continue to do all we can to enhance the play experience for young people outdoors in Renfrewshire - I can't wait to see the latest set of play parks undergo their upgrades."

The council also recently ran a participatory budgeting campaign called #YouDecide which encouraged local people to put forward ideas for improvements in their area and then they voted on the shortlist of community ideas.

Four of the successful projects were play park renewals and these will take place in 2023/24 at Glebe Street in Renfrew, Station Road in Langbank, and South Candren Village Green and Jenny's Well in Paisley.

Published 24 August 2023.