Highland Council has just £58 for play park funding as “extremely challenging” situation revealed
Play parks across the Highlands are set to close as they struggle to manage a budget of just £58 each year.
A Highland Council report has revealed the budget is “extremely challenging” and “not sufficient” and its play parks may be forced to close if they become unsafe.
While play park projects are under way, it casts doubt on the future of play parks across the Highlands.
Council officials have calculated an overall revenue budget of £18,300 this year in order to maintain the play parks.
• Sign up for our free daily newsletters
It means play parks will be using just £58 per park, per year to complete essential maintenance.
This year, the Scottish Government had allocated £15 million in play park funding to be shared between councils, with Highland Council receiving over £700,000.
This number will increase next year to over £1.2 million, but council officers say current budgets have dried up leaving many parks at risk of closure.
There are 312 play parks and over 2000 pieces of equipment across the region which the council is responsible for.
Many of the sites are in need of repairs in the near future, with 15 per cent of all play park equipment needing replaced in the next five years.
Funding is allocated based on how many children are in the local area, and sees varying amounts split between Highland localities.
Without the funding in place to support the ballooning £1.5 million maintenance requirements, several sites are earmarked to close by the end of the decade.
The council says 94 play parks across the region will be closing in the next five years.
A council report states: “The current revenue budget is not sufficient to maintain all pieces of play equipment.”
Over a quarter of these are in Thurso, Wick and Caithness - the areas are set to lose 26 play parks in that same period.
The report sets out several ideas for new and existing play parks should funding arrive.
This includes making play parks environmentally and financially sustainable while also being inclusive in their design.
The council has also pointed towards several community group projects which have raised over £500,000 in local funding to see play park projects followed through.
The finalised developments at Whin Park are on track to be completed by Easter 2025.
Play park projects such as in Aviemore and Kiltarlity are progressing but the damning report has cast doubt on other sites.
The plans will be discussed by a committee of councillors next week.
Highland Council has been contacted for comment.
