Falkirk Council has announced a major investment to provide new and improved play facilities for children of all ages and abilities.

The council has said that in 2022/23 three significant projects costing a combined £278,000 got underway at: Gala Park (Dunipace); Bo'ness Foreshore; and Southview (Stenhousemuir).

In Dunipace, the Gala Park (also known as Herbertshire Castle Park reflecting the park's rich history) now boasts a castle themed play park which includes exciting new features such as: a big viper swing, basket swing, wheelchair accessible equipment, a climbing area with a slide additional seating and a picnic bench. The Council worked closely with the Community Green Initiative (CGI) to deliver the play park improvements costing £80,000 which included a Community Choices grant of £32,000. A new £100,000 pump track will also be installed thanks to funding from Sportscotland and Foundation Scotland (secured by CGI) and is expected to be completed during the summer

Councillor Paul Garner, spokesperson for Economic Development said: "Our playpark renewal programme is delivering exciting developments for children of all ages and abilities with opportunities for social and inclusive play.

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"Our new and improved play areas were designed hand in hand with local communities who had much valued input into the design and funding of these projects which now provide diverse and stimulating play equipment and safer surfacing for all."

The new play area at Bo'ness foreshore has been supported by funding from the Scottish Government through Sustrans Scottish Greenways Programme and delivered in partnership with Falkirk Council. Installed at a cost of £63,000, the play area has had a full redesign to make it more robust following vandalism to some original wooden equipment. Upgrades include the addition of a large junior multi-play unit, toddler train, a zip line, additional seating and bark surfacing to complement the existing equipment at a cost of £55,000.

Works have also been completed on a £80,000 play park improvement at Southview, Stenhousemuir. The upgraded, fully fenced play park is designed for use by kids of 12 and under and includes new multi units with places to slide and climb, somersault bars, a roundabout, multiple swings and a zip line.

Across the area officers are also working to install more inclusive play kit including wheelchair accessible roundabouts and inclusive swing seats at one play area in each of the Council's 9 wards.

The Council has long had a rolling programme of playpark upgrading funded both by itself, using developer contributions and working in partnership with local community groups. This has been significantly ramped up since 2021 using money from the Scottish Government's Play Renewal Fund.

Over the next three years a further £1.75m will be invested into playpark upgrades across the Falkirk Council area with upcoming projects planned at Muiravonside Country Park, Laurieston Public Park and Laurie Park in Brightons.