Trailblazing At Dalneigh, Inverness

Work started this week on an ambitious project to revitalise the extensive playing fields at Dalneigh, Inverness.

In the Trailblazers Project, an all abilities path and cycleway will be built. This will be followed by a multi-use activity area being built at the site of the former BMX track.

The Trailblazers Project is led by The Greeninverness Partnership, which has secured £100,000 from Greenspace Scotland Community Environmental Renewal Scheme, the Inverness City Partnership City Vision fund and the European Union, via the Highland and Islands Special Transitional Programme.

The first phase will see the development of an all abilities path and cycleway that will provide a framework for future activity areas along its route. When complete, the project will extend from Fairfield Road, linking to the local community centre and primary school, and connecting to Tomnahurich, where it will link with the path from the canal to Bruce Gardens. The path will provide an all weather walking surface and a route for cyclists that will provide the community with easy access to the pathsinverness network and the canal.

As soon as the paths are in place, a further £40,000 has been committed by The Highland Council to help develop the first of a series of multi-use activity areas at the site of the former BMX track at Dalneigh.

Provost William Smith, local councillor for Dalneigh, has been active in seeing this project progress. He sees it as a positive opportunity to ensure greater use of the extensive playing fields and to initiate further ideas from the community for future activity areas. He said: "The Trailblazers Project has been developing over the last two years and we are fortunate to have secured the funds to take the project forward. The new path and play areas will open up the playing fields not only to the community, but will be of great benefit to the local schools and youth in Dalneigh as well as those who wish to visit the canal area."