Lochardil and Drummond Community Council seeks help from public to continue restoration work at MacDonald Park in Inverness
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A community council which has been at the forefront of restoration work at a local park is now looking for more people to help it continue the good work for the benefit of all local residents.
After a year of hard graft on the green space at MacDonald Park in Inverness, Lochardil and Drummond Community Council says it would like more volunteers to get involved, particularly to help maintain an important path through the site.
The community council’s chairwoman, Maria de la Torre, explained: “We are delighted with the results of path improvements we have coordinated at a popular local park.
“MacDonald Park, owned by Highland Council, is located at the heart of Lochardil and is a key green space for the community.
“The park was renovated a few years ago, and as part of this work a circular path was created, but with the heavy use and weather impact, some sections of the path have significantly deteriorated.
“The community council has been able to secure funding from Paths for All and Highland Council to fund the restoration of the path, including the redesign of a section to avoid a wetland and installation of a drain.
“The work will help maintain the path [to keep it] dry during the wet season and benefit those with mobility problems, wheelchair users and young families.”
Talking about some of the additional work that has gone into the site and how people are really pulling together to make a difference, she added: “To make the most of the new path the community council has also been organising some daffodil planting this autumn that will brighten some corners.
“In the summer, by a stroke of good luck, they were able to find some new goal posts that could replace the ones removed a year ago.
“With the help of the local police beat officer, who realised there were some spare goal posts from a local secondary school, the community council coordinated the transport and installation.
“The local kids are delighted to have some goal posts again.”
Making an appeal for more helping hands to help with upkeep she said: “The local community council is aware the path is well used and would like to get more people involved in looking after it, whether it is just keeping an eye on it or joining as a member.
“They are looking for new members to fill in some gaps.
“We know the path is really well used so we hope these improvements will increase the appreciation and enjoyment of the park.”
And she added: “We are grateful to those members of the public that already help keep it in good condition.
“It is the responsibility of all of us to look after it.”
