Highland Council clarifies Whin Park work schedule after public concerns at the loss of a play area due to unsafe equipment
Highland Council has clarified the Whin Park work schedule after public concerns at the loss of a play area which the local authority earlier said was removed due to health and safety concerns.
A member of the public wrote to the The Inverness Courier expressing their “huge disappointment” at the condition as the play equipment had “removed most of the children’s play items” and “rendered that part of the park a bare area”.
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They added that “custom to the small shop and the miniature railway, which is now a charity benefiting the Highland Hospice, has dropped hugely. In addition the boating pond operation is not available.”
But work is due to begin soon after the contractor – Jupiter Play & Leisure – was appointed towards the start of July after the company’s design was chosen by a huge majority by the public.
Last year, the Inverness city committee granted the Whin Park revamp scheme £150,000 of Common Good Funding, then in February this year it got another £100,000 – it was already in receipt of £234,988 from the Scottish Government.
The council, recognising the park’s importance to locals and visitors, announced a special programme of events over the summer including a pirate trail, a ranger-led walk, pop up play, social games and international playday.
A Highland Council spokesperson said: “Due to the removal of some items of play equipment for health and safety reasons a special Summer Events Schedule was promoted for July and early August during the school holidays. Works are set to begin in October this year (2024) and expected to be complete sometime in April 2025.”
