Estimated Price

£12,111

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Summary

We aim to revitalise a neglected and unsafe section of the Hilltown community playground in the Coldside Ward—one of Scotland’s most deprived areas (SIMD 2020). Our vision is to transform the current hazardous trim trail into a vibrant, inclusive, and all-weather space that promotes play, fitness, and community connection.

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Description

The project will address Local Priorities:

- Improve safety, accessibility and equipment in outdoor recreation spaces for families and young people

- Improve community facilities to support wider range of projects

The existing area poses safety risks and limits children’s ability to play freely. With funding, we will install a new, safe surface beneath the trim trail, add outdoor gym equipment, a climbing Oberon, and seating to encourage longer visits and social interaction. Raised beds will be retained to support biodiversity and a natural feel, while bright, engaging colours will enhance the space visually.

This transformation will:

· Improve safety and accessibility for all children, including those with mobility challenges

· Encourage outdoor activity and healthy lifestyles

· Foster community spirit through shared use and inclusive design

By reimagining this space, we will create a welcoming, multi-use area that supports wellbeing, play, and togetherness—ensuring the playground remains a cherished community asset for years to come.

This project seeks funding to improve the surfacing and play equipment at Coldside Community Campus, with the goal of creating a safer, more inclusive, and engaging outdoor environment for children, young people, and families in the local community.

The current outdoor play areas are in need of significant upgrades to meet modern safety standards and accessibility requirements. Uneven or worn surfacing poses a risk of injury, particularly for younger children and those with additional support needs. By installing new, impact-absorbing surfacing and upgrading play equipment, we aim to reduce accidents, increase accessibility for all users, and create a more welcoming space for active play and social interaction.

In addition to improving safety, the project will enhance the quality and variety of play experiences available. New equipment will be chosen to support physical development, creativity, and inclusive play, ensuring that children of all ages and abilities can participate. These improvements will encourage more families to use the space regularly, promoting health, wellbeing, and community cohesion.

Importantly, this project also supports the wider vision of Coldside Community Campus as a hub for year-round community engagement. The upgraded outdoor space will serve as a flexible, open-access venue for a range of community-led initiatives, including outdoor learning, family events, and health and wellbeing programmes. By improving the infrastructure, we will enable the campus to host more diverse and inclusive activities, particularly during evenings, weekends, and school holidays.

This investment will have a lasting impact on the Coldside area by transforming the outdoor environment into a vibrant, safe, and accessible space that supports play, learning, and community connection. It aligns with local priorities around improving health outcomes, reducing inequalities, and creating inclusive spaces for all.

Routine site inspections and risk assessments have highlighted safety concerns with the current surfacing, including uneven ground and worn materials that increase the risk of trips and falls. Staff have reported frequent minor injuries during play, particularly among younger children. Additionally, the existing equipment is outdated and lacks inclusive features, limiting access for children with additional support needs. Local health and wellbeing data also supports the need for improved outdoor facilities. Coldside is an area with higher-than-average levels of childhood obesity and lower physical activity rates, as identified in local authority health profiles. Providing safe, engaging outdoor spaces is a key strategy in addressing these issues. Community Engagement: Engagement with families, pupils, and community groups has been central to identifying this project as a priority. Feedback gathered through parent surveys and pupil voice groups consistently highlighted the need for safer, more inclusive outdoor play areas. Parents expressed concerns about safety and limited opportunities for active play, particularly during out-of-school hours.