Kirkhill Community Park will be officially opened on Saturday with a “picnic in the park”, but it has already attracted increased numbers to the site with facilities such an aerial rope slide and climbing wall.

Project organiser Caroline Crawford said it had brought the community together and reduced vandalism.

“It was really getting to the point where something had to be done before an accident happened or somebody was hurt,” she said.

“Before it had some really old equipment.

“The paintwork was in a bad state and it was being vandalised by older children as there was really very little for teenagers to do and some of the items were starting to become unsafe.”

She explained the project, managed by Kirkhill and Bunchrew Community Trust of which she is a member, has transformed an “uninspiring and neglected” park in the centre of Kirkhill into an “attractive and welcoming” space.

“It is a central point for our village and is mainly for young people,” Mrs Crawford added.

“Now it’s great as it’s become more inclusive and there is more for the older ones to do. They are really enjoying the equipment.”

The project netted almost half its costs from Highland Council with much of the balance coming from charities such as organisations including Comic Relief and Children in Need.

Phil Downie 01463 831249

“The park is a vital asset for young and old alike,” said trust chairman Donald Shiach.

“It has taken a great deal of tenacity and determination by a small group of people to see this project through to fruition and shows what a small community can achieve for itself.”

Kirkhill councillor Jack Shiels used cash from his discretionary budget to find out what local people wanted in the park and said it had already become a great asset to the community.

“The trust have done very well in raising considerable funds and all-in-all it has been a wonderful achievement,” he said. “It’s a tremendous benefit to the village and it has come on stream now in time for summer and hopefully a whole generation of kids will enjoy it over the next few years.”

Jim Ogilvie, secretary of Kirkhill and Bunchrew Community Council described it as a positive project for the area.

* The park will be officially opened at noon and a litter pick has also been organised on the day as part of the “Keep Scotland Beautiful National Spring Clean”, starting at 10am.

andrew.dixon@inverness-courier.co.uk

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