Whin Park play area reopens with new inclusive equipment
Whin Park play area in Inverness will reopen tomorrow (Friday 4 April) after three months of refurbishment and improvement works.
Leader of Inverness and Area, Cllr Ian Brown, said: “I am very pleased that Whin Park’s newly developed play area is now open to the public. All works have been completed and inspected, and the new interactive play equipment can be enjoyed by all ages and abilities. Inclusivity is key to The Council’s Playpark Strategy and the new equipment provides a first-class play offering whilst ensuring that play is for all.”
New features include an interactive Nessie, Legend Seeker Playship, swing area, climbing birds’ nest, an adventure mound with tube slide, scramble net and interactive arch. The Sona dance and play arch is an audio-based piece of equipment made for the outdoors which utilises the latest technology and a range of games to encourage children to be more active outdoors. The newly developed site will complement family activities already available at Whin Park including the boating pond, Ness Islands railway and a shop serving drinks and snacks.
Aerial photo of Whin Park
Cllr Graham MacKenzie, Chair of the Communities and Place Committee, said: “Play and interaction are crucial to the wellbeing and development of young people and the much-needed upgrades at Whin Park ensure that the benefits of play can be enjoyed by children of all ages and abilities. I look forward to the official opening event for the play area in the near future.”
Improvement works commenced on 6 January 2025 and were contracted to Jupiter Play and Leisure Ltd who appointed Play Works Ltd as their on-site contractor to install the new equipment.
Michael Hoenigmann, Managing Director of Jupiter Play & Leisure said: “We are delighted to have designed and built the new play area at Whin Park. This was an ambitious project which was completed on time and within budget, and we have enjoyed working closely with the team at Highland Council to create an inclusive and high-quality play area for the community.”
Funding for the contract was awarded by the Scottish Government Play Area Fund (£234,988) and was allocated to the redevelopment of the park by Members of the Inverness, Central, Ness-side, Millburn, and Inverness West Wards. In 2023, Inverness City Committee Members agreed £150,000 Inverness Common Good Funding and in 2024 a further £100,000 from the Community Regeneration Fund towards the park development costs.
A small area will remain fenced off between the tube slide and the path adjacent to the miniature railway to allow newly seeded grass to grow, but all play equipment will be available to use.
A video of the new play area can be viewed on our YouTube channel.