Playpark Provision
Ferrycroft Playpark
Lairg & District Community Initiatives (LDCI) is delighted to say that the installation of the Ferrycroft Playpark started on the 26th August, and all going well the project is expected to take between 4 and 6 weeks - with an estimated finish date of the 4th October 2024.
We can’t give you an official opening date yet because after the work has been completed, the playpark will have to be inspected by an independent inspector as well as by the Highland Council, so it can’t open to the public until after that has been done – but we will keep you updated!
The items and layout shown in the illustrations above are provisional, and might be subject to change, but do give an idea of what we can expect. Larger scale drawings are available to view in the Lairg library and in the Ferrycroft Centre.
The whole project was initially delayed by a tedious and intractable organisational issue within Highland Council, which took a long time to resolve. However, the present Highland Council Amenities department has been most helpful, and will be taking over the equipment and maintaining it in the future. Lairg Community Council have always supported the project. LDCI are very grateful to them, and to the Primary School children for their opinions on equipment choices. We hope everyone who responded to the original community consultation, carried out nearly two years ago, will think that the result has been worth the wait! Any further developments at Ferrycroft which LDCI might bring forward would of course be subject to a similar consultation process to establish community support.
The History of the Project
Since 2021 LDCI has been working with a group of parents in Lairg to explore the possibility of regenerating the playpark at the Ferrycroft Visitor Centre.
This process has taken some time because, for historic reasons, Ferrycroft playpark was not included in the Highland Council Amenities budget, which funds playparks. Highland Council will only maintain and invest in playparks which are included in this budget.
Due to budget constraints, Highland Council were not able to simply transfer Ferrycroft playpark into the Amenities budget. However, following negotiations, they brought forward the the following proposals:
1. Ferrycroft will become an Amenities playpark. Highland Council will continue grounds maintenance, as at present. LDCI and the Ferrycroft Playpark Group will fundraise for new equipment in partnership with Amenities, who will provide advice to ensure that appropriate, accessible and good quality equipment is purchased. Highland Council will maintain this equipment.
2. Ord Place playpark will cease to be a playpark, although Highland Council will continue grass cutting as at present. The Council would consider transferring the site into community ownership if there was local support for this. (The playparks at Lochside and Clashbreac are unaffected by these proposals.)
LDCI, the Community Council, and the Ferrycroft group have discussed these proposals, and feel that the options offered by Highland Council provide the best outcome for playpark provision in Lairg. At Ferrycroft there is access to ample parking and public toilets, and having an attractive playpark could help ensure the future sustainability of the Visitor Centre.
In September 2022, LDCI carried out a community consultation to gain feedback regarding the development of the playpark at Ferrycroft, and the closure and potential community asset transfer of the playpark at Ord Place.
There was overwhelming support (over 90% in both cases) for a new, all-abilities playpark at Ferrycroft, and for investigating a community asset transfer of the Ord Place site. Many people felt that developing an improved and upgraded playpark at Ferrycroft would complement the Visitor Centre, and thus attract tourists as well. Overall, the responses showed a strong public desire to provide modern play and recreation facilities in Lairg for children of all ages and abilities, including older children and young people.
In 2023 LDCI and the Ferrycroft playpark group continued to work together to choose a preferred supplier and design. LDCI raised the funds for the playpark equipment by approaching local, regional and national funders.
We would also like to thank the following funders for their generous grants:
The Highland CouncilCommunity Regeneration Fund (£60,000)
The SSE Achany & RWE Rosehall Community Benefit Fund
The Westminster Foundation
The Lairg Windfarm Fund
