Inverness play parks receive welcome upgrades

Whin Park, the Inverness jewel in the crown of play parks is to receive an upgrade to some of its play equipment.

Members of The Highland Council’s Inverness City Committee have approved £80,000 funding from the Inverness Common Good Fund for replacements and repairs.

Depute Provost Alex Graham, one of the local Highland councillors for the Whin Park area, welcomed the investment. He said: “Whin Park is greatly loved with generations of families bringing their children and grand children to play there all year round. The high level of usage of the play equipment means that we now have to replace some items to maintain the high standard in health and safety terms. This will enable Whin Park to remain safe, interesting and exciting for years to come.”

This funding will enable the replacement of the ever-popular train and carriages, aerial runway, elephant slide and pirate ship, which have all come to the end of their safe and useful life spans. Also included in the works will be repairs to the safety surface by the swings.

As Whin park benefits the wider Inverness area, attracting users from all over the city and further afield, members of individual Inverness Wards will also consider whether they wish to contribute discretionary funds towards further enhancement of the facilities available in Whin Park. Any additional support could also see the installation of new traditional play equipment for children and outdoor fitness equipment which is aimed at adults.

Members of the City Committee were informed that in 2010/11 to date £240,398 has been spent on play equipment in the seven Inverness Council Wards and that a further £5,800 per Ward has been allocated from the Council’s TEC Services for local play areas.