The local community in Innerleithen, including pupils from St Ronan's Primary School and local councillors have celebrated the official reopening of the village's play park following significant improvement works.

The much-anticipated upgrades to the facility include extensive drainage work and the installation of new play equipment, all aimed at enhancing the site for the continued enjoyment of local children and visitors.

The play park now boasts a new timber basket swing, a multi-play unit complete with a slide, and a trim trail featuring various obstacles such as balance beams, climbing frames, and stepping logs. Councillors Robin Tatler, Julie Pirone, and Marshall Douglas were all present to officially mark the reopening of the improved play area.

As part of the enhancements, the two previously separate play areas have been integrated into a single fenced enclosure with the addition of extra gates for improved access and safety.

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The entire play park surface has also been upgraded with a synthetic, environmentally friendly turf, noted as the UK's first fully recyclable safety surface. This, coupled with the installation of additional land drainage, is expected to significantly improve the overall condition of the site, which has experienced issues with waterlogging in recent years.

The funding for the play park improvements was provided as part of Scottish Borders Council's Capital Programme for Play Areas and Community Outdoor Spaces, with support from Scottish Government funding.

This prioritised capital investment programme, agreed for the period spanning 2022 to 2029, involves planned upgrades to play facilities across a range of sites following consultation with local communities. The programme represents an investment of almost £5 million aimed at enhancing these facilities for both current and future generations, providing significant play opportunities for all.

Councillor John Greenwell, Executive Member for Roads & Public Space Development, commented: "It gives me great joy seeing the reaction of the young people here today who are enjoying the play park facilities once again following several months of refurbishments. It demonstrates clearly just how important these facilities are within local communities and confirms how essential our capital investment programme for play parks is in protecting play opportunities for future generations across the Scottish Borders."