Playpark Provision
Ferrycroft Visitor Centre Playpark in Lairg - Opened by LDCI in October 2024
Lairg & District Community Initiatives (LDCI) is delighted to announce that the installation of a new playpark at Ferrycroft Visitor Centre in Lairg was completed in October 2024.
Since 2021 the organisation (LDCI) has been working in partnership with the Highland Council, the Lairg Community Council and a group of local parents who were keen to address the lack of play facilities for children in the area.
A playpark had been developed at the Ferrycroft Visitor Centre in the 1990’s but over time the equipment grew old and had to be removed, so the site lay empty for several years. A community consultation held by LDCI showed widespread support for the creation of a new playpark on the site, and this has now been achieved, with much of the new all-abilities equipment chosen by local children themselves.
To celebrate the day, an informal opening was held on Thursday 10th October in time for the school holidays. Around 70 children from Lairg and Rosehall Primary and Nursery Schools attended the event, which was opened by LDCI board member Annette Parrott MBE, who asked the children to join her in counting down from 10 before she cut the ribbon and declared the park open!
Alison Magee, (LDCI’s former Vice Chair) who worked on the project said, “It was wonderful to see how excited and enthusiastic the children were to try out the new equipment that they had helped to choose! As well thanking the pupils, we have many others to thank for helping us to deliver this project: Louise Skinner from Lairg Community Council who also represented the parents; Phil Tomalin, John Mackay and Evan Sinclair from the Highland Council; Derek Harvey and Dawn Leitch from Hags (the Playpark suppliers); and Steven Christie Landscapes (the contractors). We are also grateful to David Watson from Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust for assisting us to secure much of the £117,473 of funding required to build this new playpark, and of course we would like to thank all of the funders for their financial support.”
LDCI received £60,000 from the Highland Council Community Regeneration Fund, £33,600 from SSE Renewables (Achany Community Fund) & RWE Rosehall Community Benefit Fund, £10,000 from The Westminster Foundation, £5000 from Lairg Community Windfarm Fund, £2357 from the North Highland Initiative, and LDCI also pledged £6516 through community fundraising.
Malcolm Macleod, Assistant Chief Executive at Highland Council said, “The new all abilities playpark at Ferrycroft is a very welcome development for the area and testament to the hard work of all involved. There is no doubt this will make a difference to the lives of young people in the area by meeting a need that has long been identified locally for more recreational facilities. I’m delighted that Community Regeneration Funding and working in partnership with Highland Council has enabled the community to achieve this long held aspiration.”
David Shearer, SSE Renewables Community Investment Manager said, “The fantastic modern play facilities now available at the Ferrycroft play park, not only helps young people to thrive and develop, but also showcases Lairg as an attractive place for young families to live or visit. The need to address the lack of recreational play facilities in Lairg was a priority for the community and we are delighted that the Achany Community Fund has been able to support this worthy project”.
Lesley Morrison, headteacher of Lairg and Rosehall Primary Schools commented, “The children thoroughly enjoyed the opening of the park, and I am sure it will be well used. They loved being involved in choosing the equipment. We want to thank all the people who made it possible.”
Quotes from pupils:
“It’s really fun to play on.” Lexie
“I am really grateful to have such a great park.” Robyn
“I think it’s something that we really needed in our community.” Tor
“The design is fabulous.” Mavis
“It’s a much better replacement.” David
“The best day ever!” Anon
The History of the Project
Since 2021 LDCI had been working with a group of parents in Lairg to explore the possibility of regenerating the playpark at the Ferrycroft Visitor Centre.
This process took 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 would 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 would 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 discussed these proposals, and felt 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.
Please see below photos of what the playpark provision was like in Lairg before the Ferrycroft Playpark was redeveloped.
