A major new plan to improve the quality of local parks will get underway this year across the Falkirk Council area with a strong focus on community involvement.
Taking part in a community
litter pick
The parks in greatest need of improvement will be tackled first but communities will be consulted to ensure the new investment meets the needs of local residents.
Friends groups – like the Friends of Kinneil at Bo'ness with whom Falkirk Council is already working – will be set up for Callendar and Dollar Parks. The Council will also support local organisations to make fundraising bids for targeted local parks. The improvement plan was drawn up after the condition of all parks were assessed and a list of priorities drawn up.
In the current financial year investment plans include:
£125,000 on play area improvements in Camelon Public Park, Broomage Park in Larbert, Fankerton Park, California Park and Limerigg £75,000 for play improvements in the Duncan Stewart Park in Bonnybridge; £75,000 for pitch improvements in Herbertshire Playing Fields in Denny; Blinkbonny Park, Slamannan and California Park.
The new money comes on top of existing budgets for routine maintenance like grass cutting, litter collections and minor improvements. "This plan highlights the importance of local parks to our economy. We're committed to working with local communities to help people make fundraising bids to target particular parks. There's been some real success in the past and we want to build on that, "said Councillor Adrian Mahoney, Convener of the Environment and Heritage Committee.
The Council has designated Callendar Park and Kinneil Estate - both part of the new "Frontiers of the Roman Empire" World Heritage Site - as "Strategic Parks", along with the new Helix Park at Westfield. Each will have a 10-year management plan as will the two area parks - at Muiravonside, Whitecross and Bantaskine Park, Falkirk and the Council also has proposals to create new allotments at Bantaskine.
Councillor Mahoney said: "While there is never enough money for everything we want to achieve, what we've tried to do this year is to target spending where it's most needed. "Parks play an important role in bringing local people together, attracting tourists - particularly to our parks featuring the Antonine Wall - and promoting health and wellbeing. Hopefully this will be the start of a process that will breathe new life and civic pride into our parks."